HC Deb 03 December 2001 vol 376 cc120-1W
Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the(a) purpose and (b) aims of the cost of living allowance for nurses; [16131]

(2) which counties in the (a) south west, (b) south east and (c) eastern parts of England benefit from the cost of living allowance for nurses; [16133]

(3) if accommodation and the cost of living for nurses in Essex is being considered as part of his active review of the cost of living for nurses' allowance; and if he will extend the scheme to Essex; [16130]

(4) if he will make a statement on the reason for the exclusion of Essex in the counties to receive the cost of living allowance for nurses; [16132]

(5) when his Department's review of the cost of living allowances for nurses in the south of England will be complete. [16134]

Mr. Hutton

[holding answer 20 November 2001]: Cost of living supplements for qualified nurses and some allied health professionals were introduced in April 2001 as part of a wide ranging strategy to address the low national health service participation rates of these particular staff groups and the associated recruitment and retention difficulties in parts of England.

For 2001–02, eligible staff working in London and in the following health authority areas are entitled to these supplements:

  • South west
    • Avon HA
    • Wiltshire HA
  • South east
    • Berkshire HA
    • Buckinghamshire HA
    • East Surrey HA
    • North and Mid Hampshire HA
    • Oxfordshire HA
    • Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire HA (excluding staff working in the Isle of Wight)
    • Southampton and South West Hampshire HA
    • West Surrey HA
    • West Sussex HA
  • Eastern
    • Bedfordshire HA
    • Cambridgeshire HA
    • East and North Hertfordshire HA
    • West Hertfordshire HA.

Geographic coverage has been determined by reference to the Market Forces Factor, which is an up to date and objective measure of external labour market pressures on NHS employers. The health authorities in Essex do not meet the current eligibility criteria.

We have not yet finalised decisions on the geographic scope of cost of living supplements for 2002–03. These decisions will be informed by the latest market forces factor data.

We intend to monitor the impact of cost of living supplements more fully before considering options for any significant changes to the structure or scope of the scheme. It is too early to judge the impact of these payments at present but we hope to be able to reach a more considered assessment during 2002–03. As part of this ongoing review, we shall take into account any alternative proposals put to us for assessing the geographic coverage of the scheme.