Jun 8 2007
UNISON has reiterated its demand for ministers to use the record NHS surplus to pay health workers their due - and avert the growing strike threat.
The call comes as figures published by the Department of Health confirm the NHS underspent by £510 million last year.
The extra loot is the result of stringent cuts imposed by health secretary Patricia Hewitt. It compares to a deficit of £547m the previous year.
UNISON welcomed the fact NHS finances were healthier, but said the surplus proved costcutting had gone too far.
The £510m underspend shows that staff and patients have been put through an unneccessary year of pain, job losses and cuts," said senior national officer Mike Jackson.
"The government's kneejerk reaction to the deficits last year has led to 20,000 job losses and damaged morale and patient services."
Mr Jackson called on ministers to use the surplus to pay nurses and other health workers this year's pay award in full, rather than stage the increase and risk the threat of major industrial action.
"It would cost £200m and would be a small step towards raising staff morale and recognising the enormous efforts that they have made in delivering high quality patient care despite the squeeze on NHS finances."
Both UNISON and the Royal College of Nursing are preparing to ballot members on industrial action over the delayed payment of the award. They say it reduces the 2.5% increase recommended by the pay review body to a paltry 1.9%.