UK NI HIKE WILL CUT SCOTTISH NURSES’ PAY BY AT LEAST 20%
Research by the SNP has shown that Band 5 nurses can expect their National Insurance payments to increase by at least £206.70 – 20.6% of the pay rise they received as part of the 4% increase given to Agenda for Change health and social care staff.
Band 5 nurses on the higher rate can expect their pay rise to be eaten into by nearly a quarter due to the NI hike planned by the Tories.
South Scotland SNP, MSP, Emma Harper has criticised Conservative plans to increase National Insurance contributions saying it will slash the pay rise given to nurses in Scotland by at least 20 per cent.
Commenting, SNP MSP Emma Harper, herself a registered nurse said:
“Scotland’s NHS and social care staff have done a monumental job throughout the pandemic and have been nothing short of heroic, putting their lives at risk to care for others.
“That is why the SNP Scottish Government recognised their efforts with the biggest pay rise in Scotland in the history of devolution.
“Now the Tory plans to hike National Insurance will take a significant chunk of that money out of the pockets of hard-working nurses and use it to pay for England’s social care problem – demonstrating how regressive their National Insurance increase is for those on lower incomes.
“With the hike in National Insurance and the plans to cut Universal Credit, the Tories have clearly demonstrated they will build the recovery on the backs of those who can least afford it.
“Scotland cannot afford another decade of Tory austerity, that is why the people of Scotland will have a choice over their future in a referendum for recovery.”
Low Band 5 nurse (£26,104)
Paid £1,984.32 previously in NI
Will now pay £2,191.02
A difference of £206.70
They received a cash increase of £1,004
Meaning the NI hike would reduce their pay rise by 20.6%
High Band 5 nurse (£32,915)
Paid £2,801.64 previously in NI
Will now pay £3,093.48
A difference of £291.84
They received a cash increase of £1,266
Meaning the NI hike would reduce their pay rise by 23%
