What do people really think about the NHS new pay deal?

By Seham Al Amshan

The NHS health unions have acquired a new pay offer by the government in a move that is hoped will put an end to strikes – but is it really enough?

The new offer includes a one-off payment of 2% on their salaries for the current 2022-23 financial year, and a 5% increase in 2023-24,, according to Sky News.

“I think this doesn’t really help people like us… it has nothing to do with us, they deserve that pay rise for their hard work… we are not able to afford medications still,” said Narcisa Dumitru, 24, a single mother.

She added: “I have two children to take care of, I am single mum, and I am trying every day to make a living to look after my kids. The strikes have disturbed all their hospital appointments.”  

NHS Nurses took to Twitter to show their disagreement on the recent pay rise deal.

No matter how you try and spin it 5% is not a pay rise, especially with the current cost of living crisis 👇 https://t.co/QgvMN1Vnb0

— NHS Nurses (@SocialistNHS) March 20, 2023

No new money for the NHS or public services

Dominic Raab has said any money will come from existing budgets

They really are just taking the pxss now!#FairPayforNursingpic.twitter.com/M7WowB7dpc

— NHS Nurses (@SocialistNHS) March 17, 2023

With the rise in inflation climbing – especially in recent months – Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said in his budget statement: “High inflation is the root cause of the strikes we have seen in recent months. We will continue to work hard to settle these disputes but only in a way that does not fuel inflation.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the government has done everything necessary to make NHS staff a good offer, one that is also good taxpayers and patients whose appointments and care was delayed and disturbed by the strike actions,, according to the Evening Standard.

The start of the historic NHS strikes. Video by Seham Al Amshan

The Royal College of Nursing was the first health union to strike back in December 2022. They were also the first to decide to put a pause on their strikes, in order to discuss further and negotiate with the government in February.

Junior doctors have been on a continuous strike for 72 hours which ended on the 16^th of March, according to Sky News UK. The GMB committee advised the members that it would be in their best interest to accept whatever offer the government is going to put forward by voting for it as the final say of all on the members of the health unions, the Mirror states.