HC Deb 09 November 1998 vol 319 cc80-1W
Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will estimate the average life-time earnings of a clinical psychologist working in the NHS at current prices; [56449]

(2) what are the mean and modal salaries of fully qualified clinical psychologists; [56575]

(3) if he will list the real rates of increase in each pay award for clinical psychologists working for the NHS since 1990; [56444]

(4) what was the total salary bill for clinical psychologists in the NHS in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [56446]

Mr. Milburn

The current national pay scales for qualified clinical psychologists employed in the National Health Service range from £14,690 to £33,474 (in Grade A) and from £32,185 to £53,593 in Grade B. The latest Departmental survey of NHS earnings 1997 gives a mean salary figure of £33,100 and £42,600 for the modal salary, rounded to the nearest £100.

Total salary bill information, including employers contributions, is collected and monitored locally by trusts. Information on the total salary bill is not collected centrally. The real rates at which clinical psychologists pay has changed as a result of pay awards since 1990 are shown in the table.

Changes to Clinical Psychologists' pay in real terms: NHS pay awards 1990–98
Percentage
Clinical psychologists'pay awards in year change Pay settlement GDP factor Real terms increase
1990–91 over 1989–90 7.90 7.83 0.07
1991–92 over 1990–91 7.90 6.20 1.70
1992–93 over 1991–92 4.75 3.31 1.44
1993–94 over 1992–93 1.50 2.66 -1.16
1994–95 over 1993–94 2.35 1.43 0.92
1995–96 over 1994–95 3.00 2.91 0.09
1996–97 over 1995–96 2.80 3.08 -0.28
1997–98 over 1996–97 2.43 2.60 -0.17
1998–99 over 1997–98 3.47 2.90 0.57

Notes:

  1. 1. The pay awards have been compared with the gross domestic product deflator to obtain real terms increases/reductions.
  2. 2. The pay awards represent annual changes of pay over each financial year (1 April to 31 March) since 1990 and includes the 1998 settlement.
  3. 3. The effect of staging the 1997 and 1998 pay awards has been taken into account.