Jeremy Hunt letter kickstarts NHS pay process in England

Government-imposed pay restraint since 2010 has seen wages fall by thousands of pounds in real terms

The one per cent pay cap has been lifted and the CSP alongside other NHS trade unions have submitted a joint claim of cost of living plus a £800 consolidated sum for all NHS staff.

Claire Sullivan, CSP director of employment relations and union services, said:

‘Pay for physiotherapy staff working for the NHS is a top priority for us so we will work hard for a successful outcome from these talks.

‘We have reiterated that the government must fully fund this catch-up rise, not use existing NHS budgets or make staff pay for their own increase through changes to terms.

‘NHS staff have continued to deliver high quality care for patients under enormous pressure and must now be fairly rewarded for their outstanding work.’

The government confirmed at the budget in November that additional funding could be made available. They also indicated they wanted 'modernisation' of the pay scale. The budget contained no other details.

NHS trade unions are holding exploratory talks with employers and the Department of Health that encompass pay levels and potential improvements to Agenda for Change. 

Underlying any talks are the principle of decent pay, terms and conditions for all NHS staff, including significantly better basic pay rises.

The discussions will run parallel with the pay review body process and the CSP will be submitting its own evidence as well as joint evidence with other health unions.

CSP members working in the NHS will be kept informed and consulted on any and all proposals.

Mr Hunt’s letter provides only the remit for England – similar letters will come from the devolved nations in due course.

The outcome of this process will affect all employed physiotherapy staff as NHS pay is the key benchmark for pay setting outside the NHS. 

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