The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has demanded a double-digit pay rise and requested the UK government to restart negotiations. Despite nurses calling for a 5% increase above the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation rate—which stood at over 14%—the government has not yet responded.
A government source indicated that Health Secretary Stephen Barclay's door was open for discussions on improving working conditions within the NHS, adding that they were working to ensure staff receive their pay as quickly as possible. Pat Cullen, nursing union leader and RCN spokesperson, urged Barclay to reconsider pay negotiations with an emphasis on a double-digit raise proposal.
On May 23, RCN members will begin a new ballot for strike action after their existing six-month mandate expired earlier this month. Most nursing unions have accepted the UK government's offer of a 5% pay rise along with a one-time payment worth up to £1,600 in England. However, Cullen warned that additional negotiations are necessary to avoid another six months of strikes and emphasized that her members would not concede first during talks.
In Wales, four out of five Welsh Unison members voted in favor of accepting similar compensation offers for local staff.