Ensuring that we have a well-staffed NHS, caring for patients seven days a week is of utmost importance to me. The staff in the NHS provide our country with an invaluable service, and I believe that they be well-supported accordingly.
I know that independent pay review bodies make their recommendations to government for fair levels of public sector pay. I recognise the difficulty that public sector pay restraint has caused; however, I must reiterate the estimates from the Office for Budget Responsibility that limiting public sector pay rises has produced roughly 200,000 jobs and contributed to record levels of employment. I am happy to say that there are currently record numbers of nurses working in the NHS: since May 2010, numbersĀ of nurses and health visitors have increased by over 4,900, with an additional 52,000 in training.
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