There has been a significant increase in the number of applications made by nurses for hardship grants, according to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
During 2016, there were more than 700 applications from nurses and healthcare assistants for the grants, which are each worth an average of £500. Out of these applications, one in four grants were awarded. These were to nursing staff who earned a full-time salary, with the grant going towards living expenses, such as the purchase of food, rental and mortgage payments, as well as travelling costs.
RCN Chief Executive and General Secretary Janet Davies commented that it was a sad indictment that so many nursing staff needed financial assistance to cover everyday costs even when they were working and earning a full-time salary. She called on the Government to offer a pay rise to nurses that keeps up with living costs.
She said: “Too many are struggling to make ends meet, with some taking on second jobs or even turning to foodbanks. In Wednesday’s Budget, the Government must offer nurses and healthcare assistants a pay increase that keeps pace with the cost of living and not another real-terms cut.”
In 2015, a formal public sector pay cap was announced, but since 2010, nursing salaries have been below the cost of living, and the RCN has asked for a rise in pay that is higher than the existing 1% restriction in its submission to the NHS Pay Review Body. The RCN has also warned that unless nursing salaries begin to reflect current living costs, the NHS will have trouble keeping hold of its existing staff and struggle to recruit more.