Health bosses and union chiefs have reacted with anger over the government’s “pitiful” offer, which amounts to just £3.50 a week.<\/p>\n
Amid a growing backlash Mr Buckland said the one percent plan was “the beginning of a process” that will end when recommendations on salary levels in the health service are issued in May.<\/span><\/p>\n And he hinted that the Government will be prepared to accept those suggestions, which will come after negotiations between independent NHS pay review bodies, unions, and ministers.<\/span><\/p>\n He said: “This is the beginning of a process. The recommendations have not yet been made.<\/span><\/p>\n “We’ve got to remember, of course, that in large other swathes of the public sector there will be a pay freeze save for the very lowest paid.<\/p>\n “I don’t think at the moment we’re at the end of this process, we need to see what the recommendations are.”<\/p>\n Mr Buckland said the state of public finances means there “might not be an outcome in these difficult circumstances that will result in pay rises that everybody would want to see”.<\/p>\n But he added: “I very much hope the work that’s been done by NHS workers will be recognised in a way that’s appropriate, bearing in mind the constraints we’re all under.”<\/p>\n Asked if the Government would accept a recommendation of a higher 2.1 percent rise, as being pushed by Labour, he replied: “We’ll have to see what the recommendations are.” <\/p>\n He added: “What we’re trying to do is balance the need to deal with the Covid crisis and to spend a huge amount of money on making this country as safe as possible, but at the same time to remember the pressure on public finances is severe.<\/p>\n “It’s trying to get that balance right – that’s all we’re trying to do. It’s difficult and choices can sometimes lead to controversy but we need to not pre-judge what might happen in this negotiation.”<\/p>\n It’s the second hint at an impending U-turn in days, following on from similar remarks by Cabinet colleague Gavin Williamson.<\/p>\n On Sunday the Education Secretary said the one percent offer was “part of a process” and “no one wants to see a industrial action” in the NHS.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/NHS-workers-1407908.jpg?r=1615365619624\")
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