NHS staff across Yorkshire and Humberside urge the chancellor to do the right thing and fund a pay rise, says UNISON

NHS workers ​in Yorkshire and Humberside have asked the chancellor to recognise the work they’ve done to protect lives and fund a decent pay rise in this week’s Budget, says UNISON today (Monday).

More than 60,000 health care assistants, porters, operating theatre staff, nurses, caterers, ambulance staff, cleaners and members of the public across the UK have signed a letter to Rishi Sunak asking him to properly reward NHS staff for their work before and during the pandemic.

Staff want the chancellor to back a pay rise of at least £2,000 for all NHS workers, many of whom have put their health, wellbeing and personal lives on the line since Covid-19 struck.

In the letter, workers challenge the chancellor to step up and do his bit, as they have. They argue a pay rise would show staff they’re valued, provide a much-needed morale boost for burnt-out workers and tip the balance for the thousands on the brink of leaving the NHS, the union adds. A video accompanying the letter shows staff describing the intense pressure they’ve been under.

An occupational therapist from Leeds with 29 years of service in the NHS says: “It has been extremely difficult and demanding. Increased mental health problems will be one of the most impacting problems for the UK following this pandemic. It will also be severely felt by staff in the NHS, who will be unwell due to the stress placed on them. A £2,000 pay rise will be a reason for staff to stay in the NHS as many are worn out after working through this pandemic.”

A hospital support assistant from Goole says: “I joined the NHS shortly before the pandemic and could not have anticipated that we would now be in the throes of our fourth outbreak on my ward. I recently returned to work due to contracting Covid and becoming ill with pneumonia. I’m very nervous about working with Covid patients yet again. Although I’ve had my first vaccine I’m very worried about catching it again. I believe in my heart that £9.02 an hour is not enough for what we continue to deal with on a daily basis. We are potentially putting our own and our families’ lives at risk, yet NHS staff on lower bands continue to be on very low wages. I’m not asking for the world, I’m asking for my wage to match my job and what I do within my role.”

UNISON head of health for Yorkshire and Humberside Trevor Johnston said: “Health workers have been battling the pandemic for a year. That’s a year of incredibly long-hours, heightened anxiety around the safety of family and friends, and fears about catching the virus. All while carrying out demanding roles and dealing with the trauma of many thousands of deaths.

“They’re giving their all to keep us safe. On Wednesday the chancellor can and should give something back to them on behalf of the nation.

“Rishi Sunak must do the right thing and back up words of praise with concrete actions by funding a pay rise of at least £2,000 for all NHS staff.”

Notes to editors:

– Alongside the letter to the chancellor that can be read here a video of NHS staff sharing their experiences of working during the pandemic can be viewed here.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:

Trevor Johnston | M: 0798548142 |  E: t.johnston2@unison.co.uk
Tony Pearson | M: 07801 578985 | E: t.pearson@unison.co.uk