§ Mr. Willie W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the basic salary of a newly qualified staff nurse today; what was it in December 1974 expressed in 1984 prices; and what percentage increase would be needed to give the 1984 salary a purchasing value equal to that of 1974.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe information requested is set out in the table. The table shows that the purchasing power of a newly qualified staff nurse increased by 4 per cent. over the period when measured against changes in the Retail Price Index and by 6 per cent. when measured against changes in the Tax and Prices Index. Comparable information on earnings over this period is not available. In addition to pay increases, nurses' hours were reduced from 40 to 37½ per week in 1980–81.
Staff Nurse: Basic Salary Minimum Maximum Basic salary at December 1984 £ 5,398 6,582 Basic salary 1 December 1974 at November 1984 prices* RPI £ 5,193 6,759 TPI £ 5,090 6,624 Percentage increase needed to give 1974 purchasing power RPI Per cent. -4 +3 TPI Per cent. -6 +1 * Latest available figure for Retail Price Index and Tax and Prices Index.