Bizmart UK and EU
No Result
View All Result
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Finance
  • World
  • US
  • Travel
  • Tech
  • Sports
  • Health
Bizmart UK and EU
No Result
View All Result
Bizmart UK and EU
No Result
View All Result
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Finance
  • World
  • US
  • Travel
  • Tech
  • Sports
  • Health
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Home National

Nurse Leaders Warn of Strike Action Over Pay Discontent in the NHS

by Nakayenga Patricia Renee
July 31, 2025
in National
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
nurse pay strike action
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Nurse Leaders Demand Pay Reforms or Face Strike Action

Nursing leaders in the UK have issued a stark warning to the government, urging them to boost nurse pay or face potential strike action. This warning follows the results of a recent survey conducted by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which found that an overwhelming 91% of respondents were dissatisfied with the 3.6% pay increase they received this year.

Although the union is not directly calling for a larger pay rise, it is focusing on the reform of the NHS contract, specifically highlighting the problem of nurses being stuck in the lowest pay bands, which often fail to reflect their level of experience and expertise. The RCN is advocating for a fairer and more dynamic progression system within the NHS.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Pay Issue and the RCN’s Approach

The RCN’s latest survey, which saw over 170,000 nurses participate, emphasized widespread dissatisfaction with the current pay structure, especially the Agenda for Change NHS contract. According to the report, many nurses find themselves unable to move up from Band 5, which has a starting salary of £31,000 per year. The top of this band caps at just £38,000, which is often inadequate given the demanding nature of nursing work.

The union’s proposed solution includes automatic promotion to Band 6 after an initial 18-month preceptorship period, a move they argue would better reflect nurses’ increasing skills and experience.

Possible Strike Action and Government Response

If the government fails to take action over the summer, the RCN has hinted at running an industrial action ballot in the autumn. While the Department of Health and Social Care expressed disappointment over the survey’s findings, they have pledged to enter discussions with the RCN on broader reforms to the NHS pay structure.

The government has emphasized that it is unwilling to revisit this year’s pay awards, which were agreed upon through an independent pay review process. However, ministers have acknowledged the need to address career progression and working conditions within the NHS.

Wider Discontent and Comparisons with Doctors’ Pay

This latest call for action comes after the British Medical Association (BMA) reached a temporary agreement with the government over junior doctors’ pay, though the issue of salaries remains contentious for many healthcare professionals. The dissatisfaction surrounding nurses’ pay has also been heightened by comparisons to doctors, who received a larger pay increase despite the severe pressures faced by both professions.

The RCN’s general secretary, Prof Nicola Ranger, voiced the frustration felt by nurses, stating, “My profession feels deeply undervalued, and that’s why record numbers are telling the government to wake up and do what’s right by them and by patients.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Challenges in Addressing Pay Inequity

The UK has long struggled with healthcare pay disparities, particularly for nurses who are often overworked and underpaid relative to their critical role in patient care. While nursing leaders are not seeking an immediate pay rise, their calls for systemic change reflect a deeper issue within the NHS’s compensation structure.

In regions such as Wales and Northern Ireland, there is a similar sentiment that the 3.6% pay increase is insufficient. Meanwhile, Scotland has agreed to an 8% pay rise over two years, which has sparked further discussion over regional discrepancies in pay.

Conclusion: The Future of NHS Pay and Industrial Action

As the debate over nurse pay and NHS contract reforms continues, the RCN’s warning of potential strike action underscores the urgency of addressing the deep-rooted issues within the healthcare system. With healthcare workers at the forefront of the UK’s fight against public health challenges, many believe that resolving these pay and career progression concerns is essential to ensuring a sustainable, effective NHS.

As pressure builds, both nurses and the government will need to find common ground to prevent a potential escalation that could significantly affect healthcare delivery across the UK.

Tags: healthcare salariesNHSNHS pay reformnurse payRoyal College of Nursingstrike actionUK healthcare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Farage Vows to Scrap Online Safety Act as PM

Next Post

Police Investigate Tommy Robinson After Man Injured

Nakayenga Patricia Renee

Nakayenga Patricia Renee

Next Post
Tommy Robinson St.Pancras assault

Police Investigate Tommy Robinson After Man Injured

Amazon Best Seller

ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended

Second Night of Riots in Ballymena: Firebombs, Arrests, and Growing Tensions

Second Night of Riots in Ballymena: Firebombs, Arrests, and Growing Tensions

4 months ago
Waterworld water park death

Investigation Underway After Tragic Death of Four-Year-Old

3 months ago

Popular News

  • John Swinney SNP

    John Swinney Revives SNP Confidence Ahead of Crucial Scottish Election

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Rishi Sunak Calls for Urgent Prostate Cancer Screening in the UK

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Stephen Lawrence Murderer Must Name Other Killers Before Release, Says Father

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Keir Starmer Urges Students to Avoid Protests on October 7 Anniversary Amid Rising Antisemitism

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Trump Sends Troops to Portland After Court Ruling

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Connect with us

ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Bizmart UK is part of the Bizmart Holdings publishing family. © 2025 Bizmart Holdings LLC. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Finance
  • World
  • US
  • Travel
  • Tech
  • Sports
  • Health

Bizmart UK is part of the Bizmart Holdings publishing family. © 2025 Bizmart Holdings LLC. All rights reserved.

ADVERTISEMENT