Mr Barclay is keen to “speed up the process” of giving NHS staff their annual rise rather than improving on the existing deal.
Nurses and other NHS workers are to be offered an expedited annual pay award in return for calling off strike action.
According to the Telegraph, a source close to Health Secretary Steve Barclay claims ministers are preparing to offer NHS workers a deal which will see their annual pay award brought forward in return for calling off planned strike action.
The source said Mr Barclay was keen to “speed up the process” of giving NHS staff a pay rise rather than improving on the existing deal. On Wednesday, Mr Barclay told NHS workers that they should “look forward” to next year’s pay deal rather than complaining about this year’s £1,400 pay award.
Historically the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) has published its recommendations in the Spring, but since the pandemic, it has been pushed into the summer.
More strike dates coming soon.
It would be an offer nurses are unlikely to accept, given their counterparts in Scotland have just rejected a pay award of around 8%.
Speaking after Tuesday’s strike action, Royal College of Nursing General Secretary and Chief Executive Pat Cullen, explained, “Today, the Prime Minister looked out of step with the country he leads. But he could still make this the last nurse strike of his premiership.
“With the end of today’s strike, a clock is running for the Prime Minister. There are two days for us to meet and begin to turn this around by Christmas. By Friday, we will be announcing the dates and hospitals for a strike next month.
“Westminster may be shutting for Christmas tonight but nursing staff are readying for their shifts over the next two weeks and looking at the new year with trepidation. We are not looking for a miracle, just the fair pay and recognition that is in the Prime Minister’s gift.”
