This can be cascaded (although it will be included in a branch circular next week).
Our latest information is that the Treasury-led Public Sector Pay Committee met on Wednesday to consider a cross-
government approach to pay in the light of the Budget announcement on public sector pay (see below).
We understand that the outcome is that the NHSPRB will be asked by the government to consider evidence and
recommend the pay uplift for all those staff on the Agenda for Change pay scales below £21,000 per annum. This
means that all those on Point 15 and below will receive an uplift of at least £250 per annum and all those on point
16 and above will be on frozen pay points. This should mean therefore that High Cost Area supplements and
Recruitment and Retention premia should not count for determining who receives a pay uplift.
There are still more detail to be clarified - not least the issue of the erosion of the differential between points
15 and 16 over two years. In fact point 15 could ‘leapfrog’ point 16 if the increase were much over £250.
The trade union lead negotiators from all health unions will be meeting this afternoon to make an early assessment
of the position. The UNISON Health Service Group Executive will also need to consider the position and it’s response at its meeting
on the 21st/22nd July. By way of interest, you may have read that the Local Government employers have announced that they do not intend to increase the pay of those below £21,000 and that they are maintaining their position of a complete pay freeze for all LG staff.
Insofar as the NHS is concerned, 38% of staff in England are on Point 15 or below. In Scotland the figure is higher
at 45.9%. (which in itself is an interesting difference). It appears that Wales and Northern Ireland do not publish
data. Colleagues there may wish to enquire of the Health Departments.
I will continue to seek clarification from DH sources and keep you updated.
Mike Jackson
Senior National Officer (Health)
Lead Negotiator NHS Terms & Conditions
Direct Line 0207 5511202
Fax 0207 5511354
