NHS Staff: Food Banks Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department of Health and Social Care
Baroness Merron
Main Page: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Baroness Merron's debates with the Department of Health and Social Care
(1 year, 3 months ago)
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Baroness Merron (Lab)
My Lords, a survey by the Cavell Nurses’ Trust found that 14% of nurses and health workers are using food banks to feed themselves and their families, and nearly 70% are either unprepared or very unprepared for a financial emergency. What assessment have the Government made of the effect this is having on the health and well-being of staff? Does the Minister feel that this ought to provide a greater incentive to the Government to resolve the long- running pay dispute?
Lord Markham (Con)
That is a concern; we want to resolve the pay dispute. I know personally how much time and energy are being put into this from our side as well. Clearly, more needs to be done. We are not there yet, but I am hopeful that we will get there. At the same time, we did try to protect those on the lowest incomes, as I mentioned earlier. Everyone received a minimum of £1,400, which is 9.3%. Clearly, we will need to do more for the next year, but we are trying to protect those in the most difficult circumstances.