On 21st January 2025, GMB provided oral evidence to the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) highlighting the urgent challenges facing NHS workers. The union re-engaged with the PRB process after years of disengagement due to delays in pay awards and dissatisfaction with pay restrictions since 2010.

Key Issues Raised by GMB

1. Pay Inequalities and Restoration:

GMB emphasised the need for pay increases above inflation, with a focus on restoring real-terms pay losses of up to 22% since 2010. Members expressed that anything below this year’s 5.5% pay increase would be unacceptable.

2. Minimum Wage Concerns:

The union demanded a minimum wage of £15 per hour for NHS workers, addressing the current situation where many Band 2 staff are at risk of falling below the National Living Wage.

3. Structural Reforms to Agenda for Change (AfC):

GMB called for comprehensive reform of the AfC system, including fair job evaluation processes, addressing pay band differentials, and ensuring overtime pay aligns with AfC rates.

4. Ambulance Staff Issues:

Concerns about unsociable hours pay disparities under Section 2 of AfC were raised. GMB reiterated calls for all ambulance staff to be covered under Annex 5, citing its impact on morale, retention, and career progression.

5. Workplace Conditions:

Members shared harrowing accounts of staff burnout, unsafe working conditions, and the winter crisis becoming a year-round norm. Stories included ambulance crews facing long hospital delays, verbal abuse, and inadequate resources to care for patients.

6. Industrial Action on the Horizon:

Members are increasingly frustrated with working conditions and inadequate pay. GMB warned that failure to deliver a fair pay award could lead to industrial action, as members prioritise both pay and the future of patient care.

Conclusion

GMB urged the PRB to make a meaningful recommendation that reflects the dedication and challenges faced by NHS workers. Without decisive action, the union warned of further staff retention issues and potential industrial action.

This evidence submission marks a critical moment in the fight for fair pay and improved conditions for NHS staff, particularly ambulance workers who continue to face severe challenges daily.