The earnings of experienced nurses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland must increase by 45 percent by 2024–25 to recover to 2010–11 levels.

According to a survey, nurses are working the equivalent of one day every week for free.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) commissioned London Economics to examine remuneration in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland since 2010.

Based on a five-day workweek, they discovered that the compensation of an experienced nurse had decreased by 20% in actual terms.

According to the report, experienced nurses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland would need a nominal wage increase of 45 percent by 2024-25 to return their incomes to 2010-11 levels.

According to the report, such a salary increase would help the NHS save money in the long run, as it would be less expensive than hiring workers from abroad.

Dr. Gavan Conlon, who oversaw the research, stated that importing personnel from abroad costs roughly £16,900 more yearly than maintaining a nurse while hiring agency labor costs approximately £21,300 more annually.

According to him, some 32,000 nurses leave the NHS annually, many because their remuneration has not kept pace with the rising cost of living.

The RCN is conducting a strike vote among its 300,000 members, demanding increased compensation and an effort by the government to replace the hundreds of thousands of nursing vacancies in the country.

There are also ongoing or anticipated strike ballots for midwives and other NHS personnel, including porters, paramedics, and cleaners.

Pat Cullen, general secretary of the RCN, stated: “This exploitation of nursing personnel can no longer be permitted.

“During the pandemic, politicians asked the public to applaud caregivers, but now they willfully ignore the extraordinary efforts and knowledge of nurses.

“Ministers have steadfastly fought the need to address the workforce crisis, particularly the need to compensate nurses adequately, instead rejecting all opportunities to act.

“They have taken advantage of nurses’ willingness and resolve to act in the best interests of their patients.

“Our members are exhausted.

“It is inexcusable to expect nursing workers to work one day a week for free.

“Patients demand more from their elected officials.

“Safe and effective care is being undermined by the inaction of governments, even though nursing personnel is working longer hours and doing everything they can.”

A representative for the Department of Health and Social Care stated: “We greatly respect the contribution of our hardworking nurses, which is why over one million NHS employees will get a minimum pay increase of £1,400 this year.

Despite a public sector wage freeze, NHS personnel received a 3% pay increase last year, increasing nurses’ salaries by an average of £1,000 per year.