I have enormous admiration for the frontline workers who are making immense sacrifices to help those affected by the coronavirus outbreak and working to keep us all safe.
The Health Secretary has stated recently that, when it comes to how we reward people, he is going to fight to ensure that people receive a fair reward for their efforts in this crisis.
I have been a vocal supporter of pay rises for healthcare staff and I fully support the Government's announcement of a pay rise of 2.8 per cent, backdated to April 2020, in line with the recommendations of the independent pay review body for dentists and doctors. This pay rise is an important acknowledgment of the commitment and hard work of staff throughout this difficult time.
As you may be aware, the pay increase for more than one million NHS workers (including nurses), was agreed in the three-year Agenda for Change pay deal, struck separately in 2018, with the starting salary for a newly qualified nurse increased by more than 12 per cent by the end of the AfC time period, with all nurses receiving pay increases of at least 6.5 per cent. The Government has also introduced a nurses' bursary which provides at least £5,000 of additional support to nursing students. I understand that the NHS Pay Review Body, covering AfC staff, will return to making recommendations for next year's pay awards.
Ministers set aside £800 million to support the deal for 2018/19, and the Government’s long term funding settlement for the NHS, which will provide increased funding of £33.9 billion per year by 2023/24, is funding the pay rise over the remaining two years.
The Coronavirus pandemic has proven beyond all doubt the need for an immigration system that will not just allow but actively welcome a range of health professionals to the United Kingdom. I welcome the fact that the Government has ensured that this will be the case. The new Health and Care Visa, creates a new fast-track visa route for eligible health and care professionals.
Action has been taken to ensure the immigration system does not unduly impinge upon the ability of the NHS to respond to the Coronavirus outbreak. It is good news that thousands of health professionals and their family dependants will have their visas extended for a year, free of all fees and charges. This comes after a previous announcement offering free visa extensions for health professionals whose visas were due to expire between 31 March 2020 and 1 October 2020. This further action taken by the Government will now extend that offer from 1 October 2020 until 31 March 2021.
I am proud the NHS has once again been rated the best healthcare system in the world, something that is only possible thanks to the dedication and hard work of all NHS staff.
I will always fight for a fair pay deal for our healthcare staff. We owe them an enormous debt of gratitude.
