NHS PAY

That this House condemns the Government's decision to reject the Independent Pay Review Body's recommendation that all NHS staff receive a one per cent cost of living pay increase; recognises the incredible dedication and hard work of NHS staff in often difficult circumstances and is dismayed at the Government's decision to penalise public sector workers; recalls the Chancellor of the Exchequer's promise in 2012 that there would be a one per cent rise in public sector pay by 2015; regrets that the actions of the Government have restricted pay rises for nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants for over four years; notes that the NHS would have had a much better financial outlook had the Government not spent £3 billion on an unpopular and unsuccessful NHS reorganisation; and fears for the morale of the NHS workforce, which is the lowest it has ever been and the negative effect this will have on the aspirations of young people to become nurses, midwives or healthcare assistants.