Government could ‘fast-track’ NHS pay rise in 2023

As reported by The Independent, Health secretary Steve Barclay said to want next year’s pay review to happen ‘at pace’

Rishi Sunak’s government could fast-track an NHS pay rise next year after 48 hours of historic strikes by nurses and paramedics, according to reports.

Health secretary Steve Barclay is said to be ready to offer an expedited pay deal in 2023 in a bid to prevent fresh industrial action next year.

A source close to Mr Barclay revealed he is keen to ‘speed up’ the pay review process – set to begin in April – to give NHS staff a pay rise to break the deadlock.

NHS workers would usually have to wait until August for the process to finish and for staff to receive a backdated rise following recommendations by an independent review body in April.

“Steve is very keen for this to go ahead at pace and not be dragged out as it has been in the past,” the source told the newspaper.

On Wednesday Mr Barclay urged unions to “look forward” to next year’s deal rather than trying to force a better deal on this year’s offer of an average four to five per cent pay rise.

But unions have said they expect NHS workers to be offered a two per cent increase next year, based on a letter sent by Mr Barclay last month to the NHS Pay Review Body.

It comes after unions and ministers remained in stalemate over pay, after thousands of nurses picketed on Tuesday while ambulance staff staged their biggest strike in 30 years on Wednesday.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) – demanding a 19% rise – is expected to announce fresh strike dates for January on Friday, unless there are moves on pay talks.