There is overwhelming public support for removing the government’s cap on NHS pay, according to survey results released by 14 NHS unions, including the SoR.
More than 2000 people were asked by ComRes if they supported removal of the cap on pay for NHS staff and a large majority (84%) said they were.
Over four in five (83%) support increasing pay for all NHS staff to meet or exceed the cost of living.
The RPI measure of inflation recently hit a high of 3.9% per cent and the NHS unions called for a pay award to match that amount. They are also calling for an additional £800 to restore some of the pay lost by NHS staff over the past seven years.
There was strong support amongst the survey respondents (73%) for making more funding available to the NHS Pay Review Body. This is to allow them to recommend a pay award higher than 1% if the government lift the pay cap.
Seventy-seven per cent of people also thought that low pay was one of the reasons for many staff leaving the NHS. A similar number (74%) thought that the same issue was also a factor in young people not choosing careers in the NHS.
Paul Moloney, the Society's industrial relations manager said, "It is clear that the public fully recognise the need for radiographers and everyone else employed in the NHS to have a fair pay increase.
"One that not only keeps pace with inflation but begins to make up what has been lost as a result of government policy over the past seven years.
"Government must now recognise the public as well as the unions are demanding they lift the cap, fund an increase for all in the NHS and start treating radiographers and their colleagues with respect."
The survey by ComRes was commissioned by the Royal College of Midwives and funded by 14 NHS unions. Read the full survey results.
The NHS unions are: British Association of Dietitians, British Association of Occupational Therapists, British and Irish Orthoptic Society, Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, Federation of Clinical Scientists, GMB, Managers in Partnership, POA (union for prison, correctional and secure psychiatric workers), Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Nursing, Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, Society of Radiographers, UNISON and Unite.
View NHS unions submit pay claim to the government.
SoR Pay Campaign: Let your MP know why pay cap should be lifted.