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Nurses: Pay

Volume 498: debated on Wednesday 28 October 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average starting salary of an NHS nurse was in (a) cash and (b) real terms in (i) 1996-97 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available. (295229)

The average estimated starting salary of an NHS nurse in cash and real terms in 1996-97 and 2008-09, the latest year for which figures are available, is shown in following the table.

Starting salaries (£)Qualified nurseCash2008-09 prices1996-9711,89515,4702008-0920,22520,225 Notes: 1. In the context of this answer the term “NHS Nurse” has been interpreted as a qualified nurse. 2. 1996-97 figures are based on the Whitley D Grade minimum starting salary. Source: Pay circular 1997-98. 3. Figures have been expressed in 2008-09 prices using the HM Treasury gross domestic product deflator index where appropriate. 4. 2008-09 figure is the Agenda For Change band five minimum salary. This figure is available for 2009-10 (£20,710) but the deflator index is unavailable for comparison in real terms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average pay of an NHS nurse was in (a) cash and (b) real terms in (i) 1996-97 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available. (295230)

The average pay of an NHS nurse in cash and real terms in 1998-99 and 2008-09 the latest year for which figures are available is in the table. No comparable figures are available prior to 1998-99 as this was the first year in which the NHS staff earnings survey was undertaken.

Average earnings (£)

Qualified Nurse

Cash

2008-09 prices

1998-99

19,600

25,000

2008-09

29,900

29,900

Notes:

1. In the context of this answer the term “NHS Nurse” has been interpreted as a qualified nurse.

2. 1998-99 figures—Source: NHS Earnings Survey 1998-99 (available at www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Pressreleases/DH_4005045).

3. Figures have been expressed in 2008-09 prices using the HM Treasury gross domestic product deflator index where appropriate.

4. 2008-09 figures—Source: NHS Information Centre NHS Staff Earnings January to March 2009 (available at www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/workforce/nhs-staff-earnings/nhs-staff-earnings-january-march-2009). The figure for April to June 2009 is available (£30,900) but the deflator index is unavailable for a comparison in real terms.

5. Figures have been rounded to the nearest £100.