§ Mr. AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce parity in pay rises between NHS staff covered by the Pay Review Body and those outside the Pay Review Body, and if he will make a statement. [71807]
§ Mr. DenhamWe have signalled clearly that the award for nurses and the Professions Allied to Medicine is a special case and should not be seen as a yardstick for other National Health Service staff. We will open negotiations soon with non-review body staff groups and will seek a fair settlement which reflects labour market conditions.
§ Mr. AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average current starting salary for(a) a graduate nurse and (b) a graduate entrant Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer with a BSc degree. [71809]
§ Mr. DenhamThe current minimum starting salary for newly qualified nurses, including graduate nurses, is £12,855. This is the minimum point on the Grade D salary scale, the maximum point on the scale being £14,705.
The current minimum starting salary for a graduate entrant Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer with a Bachelor of Science degree is £7,476. This is the minimum point on the trainee MLSO salary scale, the maximum point being £9,796.
The current minimum starting salary for a qualified MLSO, with BSc degree plus post-registration training, is £11,812. This is the minimum point on MLSO I salary scale, the maximum point being £15,546.
730WEmployers have the freedom to place a nurse or a MLSO on any point of their appropriate salary scale.
§ Mr. AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to change the national Framework Agreement of 1995 for NHS staff; and if he will make a statement. [71808]
§ Mr. DenhamWe published "Agenda for Change", our proposals for modernising the NHS pay system, on Monday 15 February. We are opening talks with NHS professional and staff organisations on the basis of this agenda.