Health workers in Wales are facing a real terms pay cut, according to public services union UNISON.
NHS staff in Wales and across the UK are feeling the full force of sky-rocketing bills and the deepening cost-of-living crisis as UNISON says the latest pay award from the Welsh Government, which accepted the pay review body recommendation in full, is nowhere near enough.
The Government’s pay award means everyone directly employed by the NHS will get an extra £1400 added to their full-time salary.
However, the energy price cap alone is expected to rise to well over £3,000 per year in October and again in January.
Overall home energy bills will have typically risen by over £2,000 since the date of the last pay award for health workers.
UNISON will soon begin balloting NHS workers in Wales over potential strike action as a result of the latest derisory pay offer.
Hugh McDyer, UNISON Cymru/Wales head of health, said: “Food bills are expected to go up by 15-20% over the course of this year. For the average household of two adults and two kids that’s an extra £1,000 for food over the year.
“The cost of filling your car for a year is expected to cost £400 more this year than last.
“Using these averages food, energy and fuel price rises alone will amount to over £3,400 this year – that’s before even looking at what’s happening to housing and other costs.
“You don’t need to work in the Treasury to work out that £1,400 is nowhere near enough and leaves everyone in the NHS worse off.
“That’s why we call this award a real terms pay cut however you slice it, for every single band.
“Each month staff will get just a bit more than £100 extra (before deductions).
“Staff will probably see the pay award start to be reflected in September pay packets. The pay award will not be a lump sum.
“Full-time basic salaries will be going up by £1,400 (pro rata for part-time), (Band 7 and the top of Band 6 will get slightly more).
“Staff will get a few hundred pounds in back pay. This will be in September or October. This is because staff were meant to get the pay award in April but the government kept the NHS waiting for months.
“NHS Pension contributions will be changing in October, so some of the pay award might go straight back out because most full-time staff will be paying more for their pensions.”
