Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with the Royal College of Nursing’s General Secretary on (a) pay and (b) conditions for nurses.

The Government held intensive talks on pay and non-pay matters with unions, including the Royal College of Nursing, between 22 February and 16 March 2023. Following those talks the Government put forward a best and final offer on pay and conditions. That offer includes additional non-consolidated payments for 2022/23 on top of the consolidated pay rise staff members have already received and a consolidated pay rise of at least 5% in 2023/24. The Royal College of Nursing has recommended to their members that they accept the Government’s offer.