§ 47. Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make an assessment of the change in the purchasing power of nurses since their last pay award was implemented if the current pay award to them is fixed at 6 per cent.
§ Dr. VaughanBetween April 1980 and April 1981, the retail price—all items—index increased by 12.04 per cent. Between May 1979 and April 1981 the index increased by 35.3 per cent. while in the same period, assuming a 6 per cent. settlement for 1981, nurses' pay generally will have increased by some 45 per cent. In addition, there has been 105W a two and a half hour reduction in the working week, which is equivalent to a further 6½ per cent. increase in pay.