UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Thursday 8 November 2012

Tories hand in glove with SW NHS Employer Cartel

Steve Walker has blogged an interesting account of yesterday's two Parliamentary debates on regional pay in the NHS and the South West NHS employer cartel plotting to break away from the Agenda for Change national agreement. Steve reports on two responses from Anna Soubry MP, the Tory Under-Secretary of State for Health, in which she let slip advanced knowledge of the machinations of the South West employers - comments conveniently omitted from the Hansard record of the debates.

Soubry made clear that Government support for national terms and conditions in the NHS is subject to Agenda for Change remaining 'fit for purpose and affordable', proceeded to attack unnamed NHS unions who 'stick their head in the sand' and praised the 'responsible' approach of the South West employers:

http://skwalker1964.wordpress.com/2012/11/07/has-the-government-altered-the-official-record-of-the-nhs-regional-pay-debate-to-hide-a-confession-of-involvement/

Westminster Hall debate
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/hansard/commons/todays-commons-debates/read/unknown/1294/

Commons debate
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/hansard/commons/todays-commons-debates/read/unknown/209/