Steve Brine spoke on the need for a focus on low pay in the NHS during an Urgent Question in the House this afternoon.
The Member of Parliament for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford told the Commons; “The elephant in the room here is not pay across the board but low pay in the NHS and even a 10% pay rise on not very much is not very much. We really need a grown-up conversation about what we pay those who do some of the least glamourous jobs across health and social care day-in-day-out every single year?”
Health Minister, Helen Whatley responded; “One thing that is absolutely right, is that we should be thinking about the whole workforce in this. I know that as the Minister with oversight for social care as well, that I have many conversations with that sector about the pay levels for people working in social care.
And obviously I want to see us appropriately rewarding and recognising staff across our whole health and social care system and that’s not only actually in pay terms, but also in the wider package of support people get and making sure their jobs and each day work is a good day and that’s something I will continue to work on in this role.”
Steve will be discussing the issue and his push for a drive on low pay on BBC Radio 4’s Week in Westminster this Saturday, 13 March.
More Information
Read the Urgent Question via Hansard
BBC Radio 4 Week in Westminster
