HC Deb 06 May 1986 vol 97 c79W
Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest estimate of the number of people in receipt of family income supplement.

Mr. Major

At February 1986, the latest date for which information is available, there were 202,000 families in receipt of family income supplement.

Percentage increases and basic pay rates
(a) 1985–86 Review Body Recommendation (b) 1985–86 Pay Award
From 1.4.85 From 1.2.86 Total 1985–86
Staff Nurse
Min. 11.2 4-.8 1.9 6.6
(£6,000) (£5,708) (£6,000)
Max. 9.0 4.8 1.5 6.3
(£7,175) (£6,960) (£7,175)
Nursing Sister II (Ward Sister)
Min. 9.6 4.8 1.6 6.4
(£7,480) (£7,220) (£7,480)
Max. 14.3 4.8 2.4 7.2
(£10,000) (£9,254) (£10,000)

Notes:

(1) The Government accepted the recommendations of the review in full but payment was staged: the first instalment with effect from 1 April 1985 and the balance with effect from 1 February 1986.

(2) Many staff nurses and ward sisters receive additional payments for working unsocial hours and overtime. The average gross earnings in 1985‒86 of a staff nurse and ward sister in Great Britain are estimated to be of the order of £7,938 and £10,175 respectively.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has yet received the report of the review body on nurses' pay for the award which was due on 1 April.

Mr. Hayhoe

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has received the report of the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine. This is being considered and an announcement will be made in due course.