FINANCIAL pressures are forcing some midwives to sell their days off and even to steal food from hospitals because they can’t afford to eat, their union leader said. 

RCM general secretary Gill Walton spoke of members resorting to desperate means in order to make ends meet as she laid bare the “devastating” impact of the cost-of-living crisis on maternity workers, with many considering quitting because “they can’t face it anymore.”

Speaking at a TUC rally in central London, Ms Walton said: “Years of underfunding and short staffing has taken their toll and we are now facing a real maternity crisis.

“The average midwife is now on average £7,000 worse off in real times than 10 years ago. 

“Midwives and [maternity support workers] are selling their annual leave to increase their pay packages. Sickness leave at the end of the month is increasing because midwives can’t afford to fill their cars with petrol.

“Applications to our hardship fund have more than doubled. Last week I heard of a student who stole food from a hospital because she couldn’t afford to eat.

“Our members did not cause the cost-of-living crisis but they are being made to pay for it.”

Stories of workers struggling to survive were echoed by other union leaders and trade unionists representing many other sectors at the rally in Central Hall, Westminster, who were united in a joint call for an immediate general election.  

Paramedic Simon Day told the rally he has never seen morale in the ambulance service so low in his 15 years working in the profession.

“We’ve had lots of praise but that was empty praise from the government over the pandemic and that soon disappeared when it comes to the crunch of a pay award,” he said. 

Speakers placed the blame on the government. Teachers’ union NEU head Mary Bousted said: “We need a general election because we’re entering a moment of social crisis in this country.

“My members see everyday the reality of child poverty. The Tories can’t blame this misery on anyone else, they have been in power for 12 years. The cause is theirs and the responsibility is theirs and we need to evict them.”

The rally, held by the TUC to demand an general election now, also heard from RMT leader Mick Lynch, FBU general secretary Matt Wrack, PCS leader Mark Serwotka and the Congress general secretary Frances O’Grady. 

Closing her speech, she told the rally: “There’s only one way to sort out this mess. A general election. 

“Not next year, not the year after, but now. We are trade unionists. We believe in democracy. And it’s about time working people got a say in Britain’s future. 

“Stay strong, be proud, and together we will win.”