HC Deb 09 May 2002 vol 385 c352W
Paul Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the percentage changes in(a) consultants' NHS remuneration and (b) total consultants' remuneration in each of the past five years. [54016]

Mr. Hutton

Table 1 sets out the general pay increase for consultants in each of the last five years.

The majority of consultants earn additional money from the national health service for extra duties. The size of this additional income varies by speciality, by age and geographic location. Table 2 shows the increase in total NHS earnings August 1998 and August 2000.

The Department does not collect or hold detailed information about private practice.

Table 1
Hospital doctors(percentage) Bottom of consultant scale(£) Top of consultant scale (£)
1998–99 4.2 44,780 57,800
1999–2000 3.5 47,345 61,605
2000–01 3.3 48,905 63,640
2001–02 3.9 50,810 66,120
2002–03 3.6 52.640 68,505

Note: A DDRB recommendation in 1999–2000 recommended a further £50 million be allocated annually to consultants to recognise work load, intensity and contribution to the NHS.

Table 2
1998 1999 2000
Earnings per contract (£) 59,300 63,200 65,400
Increase over previous year(percentage) 6.7 3.4
Earnings per wte (£) 65,100 69,300 72,100
Increase over previous year(percentage) 6.4 4.1

Note:

The data in Table 2 are taken from the NHS Earnings survey (sample based).