Downing St Urges Nurses To Reconsider Double-Digit Pay Demand

DOWNING Street has told nurses to think again about the pay offer they rejected, after their union called for a double-digit rise.

- By Jane Kirby

No 10 insisted that under the deal thrown out by Royal College of Nursing members, some would have received 10.7 per cent and 10.3 per cent more over two years.

It comes as general secretary Pat Cullen is set to tell the RCN's annual congress today a fresh mandate for walkouts will force ministers to act.

She initially advised her members to accept the Government's revised pay offer of five per cent for this year and a one-off payment for last year.

Generous

Now she will urge PM Rishi Sunak to "get this job finished" and start talks to end more strikes.

Mr Sunak's spokesman said: "Under the deal they voted against, those at the bottom of, or middle of, band five under Agenda for Change would receive 10.7 per cent and 10.3 per cent over two years.

"That illustrates this was a fair and generous offer. It's the one the RCN leadership recommended bers. It was subsequently to its memaccepted by the majority of other unions via the NHS staff council.