Nurses forced to use FOODBANKS to get by on below average wage

THE majority of Britain's nurses are earning below the average national wage, a survey has found.

Data from the RCN’s 2017 Employment Survey revealed the financial struggle of those in the nursing profession, and provided the catalyst for the promise of a pay increase in the recent Budget.

The survey showed that as many as 70 per cent of nurses felt they were in a worse financial position this year than they were five years ago.

Since 2010, the average nursing salary has seen a 14 per cent cut, as wages have failed to keep up with inflation rates.

This has forced almost a quarter of staff to pick up a second job to make ends meet, while some nurses are even forced to use foodbanks to feed their families.

Chancellor Phillip Hammond gave nurses a open-ended promise to increase wages as part of the November Budget, in an attempt to improve the financial situation of the vital profession within the NHS.

Nurses have been recognised as part of The Sun's Everyday Heroes campaign, which tells the stories of the people who work hard to keep our country safe, healthy and educated. 

The initiative hopes to give a voice to the concerns of our nation's nurses, as the vital role they perform in our health sector means they need to be supported.

Running through to the end of the year, the campaign represents the real heroes of Britain, working in a range of public sector roles right across the nation.