Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults
Informed sources to Al Mayadeen: A new chapter in relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency will begin within the framework of the new law passed by Parliament

Sunak, MPs reject pay rise proposal amid nation-wide NHS walkouts

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 Dec 2022 13:40
  • 3 Shares
3 Min Read

The RCN is requesting a 19% pay rise - 5% over the RPI inflation rate - which the UK government called "unaffordable."

  • x
  • NHS Nurse strikes in the UK (Morning Star)
    NHS Nurse strikes in the UK (Morning Star)

In light of a country-wide strike across England and Wales, thousands of ambulance workers took to the streets following suit of the National Health Service nurses who protested last week after ministers rejected the proposal by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) to negotiate pay raises.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insists that demanding a pay raise will worsen the already-devastating inflation, adding that the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) has also considered future inflation. 

During his appearance at the House of Commons liaison committee, Sunak stated: "I’ve acknowledged it is difficult, it’s difficult for everybody because inflation is where it is. And the best way to help them and help everyone else in the country is for us to get a grip and reduce inflation as quickly as possible."

But Sunak then seemed to imply that it may be possible to reconsider the matter later, that "there will be a body and a process for next year. The door is always open to talk to everybody to be constructive about how we approach these things in the future.”

Read more: UK medical workers strike for first time in 106 years

'Entered dangerous territory'

Related News

UK NHS doctor grieves nephew slain at Gaza food distribution point

England’s hospitals may cut 100,000+ jobs amid cost-cutting directives

Discussions held between Health Secretary Steve Barclay and the health unions with Unite proved to be fruitless, the second largest trade union in the UK describing the talks as “pointless.”

"Deeply regrettable," is how Barclay described the strikes after stating that a majority of ambulance staff received a pay increase of 4%, which boosted average earnings to £47,000.

This affects patients' conditions as well. Those with life-threatening situations, such as cardiac arrest classified as category 1, will be responded to immediately, but those pertaining to category 2, suffering from critical conditions might not be tended to. 
 
In a letter, head of the NHS confederation, Matthew Taylor, was cited as warning Sunak: "It is clear that we have entered dangerous territory and we hope this warning from NHS leaders should serve to focus minds in government and in the unions that a swift resolution to this damaging dispute is needed."

'Truly sorry'

According to the NHS Confederation, "deep worry among NHS leaders about the level of harm and risk that could occur to patients tomorrow and beyond," was present as "many now tell us that they cannot guarantee patient safety".

The RCN is requesting a 19% pay rise - 5% over the RPI inflation rate - which the UK government called "unaffordable", despite its continued support for sending millions worth of weapons to Ukraine. 

Pat Cullen, RCN general secretary and chief executive, expressed she was "truly sorry" for patients facing medical disruptions from the strikes. Cullen clarified her willingness to negotiate terms, but added that "we have no opportunity to do that because we can't get to a table to talk to government."

Amid warnings that disruptive walkouts could continue in the New Year, the UK Labour party slammed No10's response to the strikes, with shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Ashworth saying:

"The buck stops with Rishi Sunak and his Government. They're the ones who can stop these strikes by engaging in a meaningful negotiation about what is a fair settlement for NHS staff."

  • NHS
  • Strike
  • Rishi Sunak
  • UK

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS