§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) by what percentage figure the real value of National Health Service nurses' pay has declined in the last two years;
(2) what was the percentage pay award to National Health Service nurses in each of the last two years; and what was the rate of inflation in each year.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe real value of nurses pay has increased over the last two years. Pay settlements for nurses in the years 1980–81 and 1981–82 were 14 per cent. and 6 per cent, respectively. In addition, from 1 April 1980 nurses received the second instalment of the pay increases awarded by the Clegg commission. The commission's award amounted to an extra increase of 22 per cent. in nurses' pay. In 1980–81 nurses working hours were reduced from 40 to 37½ hours per week, equivalent to 6.5 per cent. on pay.
Corresponding movements in the retail price index were 12.6 per cent. (March 1980–March 1981) and 10.4 per cent. (March 1981–March 1982). Overall, nurses pay has therefore increased in this period at a greater rate than inflation.
§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much nurses pay would need to be increased to bring it up in real terms to the figures recommended by the Halsbury committee.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe following table shows, for the main nursing grades, annual basic pay rates awarded by the Halsbury committee—effective from 23 May 1974—and as currently in payment—effective from 1 April 1981—with the percentage movement between the two periods. Over the same period, the retail price index increased by 172 per cent.
Maximum point of basic pay scale effective from Movement in basic pay May 1974 to April 1981 Nursing Grade 23 May 1974 1 April 1981 £ £ Percentage Regional Nursing Officer-R1 8,001 21,924 174 Nursing Officer II 3,300 7,551 129 Nursing Sister II (ward sister) 3,000 7,215 141 Staff Nurse 2,202 5,426 146 Enrolled Nurse 1,902 4,835 154 Student Nurse (2nd year) 1,224 3,428 180 Nursing Auxilary 1,524 4,017 164 In 1980–81 nurses working hours were reduced from 40 to 37½ per week, equivalent to 6.5 per cent. on basic pay.
§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide a table showing the weekly basic pay of a second year student nurse, a staff nurse, a ward sister and a nursing officer in 1975, 1978, 1980 and 1981, expressing the figures in terms of 1975 prices.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe following table shows, for the grades requested, weekly basic pay at the maximum point of the salary scale with the movement in each later year over the 1975 pay rates. In 1980–81, nurses working hours were reduced from 40 to 37½ per week, equivalent to 6.5 per cent. on basic pay. Basic pay is not a very useful indicator as these staff are also eligible to receive additional payments for working overtime or at unsocial hours.
Weekly basic pay at maximum of salary scale—£ (movement over 1975 base of 100) Grade 1975 1978 1980 1981 Student Nurse 31.47 40.62 62.02 65.74 (2nd year (100) (129) (197) (209) 52.55 62.43 98.17 104.06 Staff Nurse (100) (119) (187) (198) Nursing Sister II 68.12 82.45 130.55 138.37 (Ward Sister) (100) (121) (192) (203) 74.68 90.04 136.63 144.81 Nursing Officer n (100) (121) (183) (194) Over this period—April 1975 to April 1981—the retail price index increased by 126.3 per cent.