NHS: Staff Pay

Debate between Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone and Lord O'Shaughnessy

Wednesday 21st March 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord O’Shaughnessy]

I thank the noble Lord for giving me the opportunity to provide that confirmation. In the 2017 Autumn Budget we set aside in the reserves £800 million a year, which will fund the first year of the Agenda for Change pay deal, and obviously if the members of the NHS trade unions accept the agreement, that funding will be released. The Chancellor will also provide the additional funding required to fulfil his commitment through the 2018 Autumn Budget and make available £4.2 billion over three years to fund the deal. I hope that gives the clarity the noble Lord and others seek.

[Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone (Con)]

My Lords, the Government have every reason to be proud of providing for this very substantial pay increase. However, can my noble friend remind NHS staff that, as would be the case for any other staff, with increased pay has to come change? There are no groups of employees in any enterprise anywhere who do not have to change, restructure or change the skill mix. Appraisal and training mean doing more and achieving greater productivity. We have a heroic mission to provide care free at the point of delivery to all. This can be achieved only with a much more positive attitude towards changing the skill mix, team working, and through the many other ways of delivering cost-effective care.

[Lord O’Shaughnessy]

My noble friend is right and she speaks from great experience. I emphasise that, as the Secretary of State has said, this is a something for something deal which will deliver greater productivity in return for higher pay. That absolutely has to be the right way of doing this. I also point out that there will be an explicit focus on improving the health and well-being of NHS staff, so that they are not only happier and more likely to stay in post, but more productive as well.