The salary of NHS senior management witnessed an increase of 6.1 per cent during the past two years, as per a recent report. A Freedom of Information Act (FOI) request by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has revealed that the salary of Nurses remained almost flat during the period. The frontline nursing staff sought only 1.6% hike in their salary over the same time.

RCN CEO and general secretary Peter Carter said that nursing staff has expressed concerns after knowing the disparity in NHS pay. It is time for government to intervene and take a step to offer a decent wage to the nursing staff.

Some executive board members have also received bonuses of more than £40,000, according to the FOI request. The amount of the bonus is even higher than what a nurse or midwife earns annually, which is between £26,000 and £35,000. Pay of other board members has sought a rise by more than £30,000.

Nursing professionals have been outraged after these findings were announced. Concerns among nursing staff started to occur ever since health secretary Jeremy Hunt denied accepting the independent pay review body's recommendation for a 1% increase in pay in March. It was said by ministers that 1% will only be given to employees not eligible for incremental pay increase. It is believed by unions that this decision will create a wage trouble for
70% of nurses this year.

"The Government has maintained an iron grip on the pay and benefits of frontline staff while the senior managers' pay bill has gone seemingly unchecked", he said. Carter added that this is discrimination and breaks the trust of workers in a system that promises fairness at the heart of decision-making on public-sector pay.

About 83% nurses who participated in a poll have said that the Government's decision will have negative implications for family finances and household bills.