A CAMPAIGN for a 12.5 per cent pay rise for all nursing staff is being stepped up after research released yesterday showed that they are worse off than a decade ago.

The work of nurses and other NHS workers in tackling the coronavirus crisis has shone a spotlight on pay, according to campaigners.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) yesterday launched a billboard campaign in Westminster, calling on politicians and everyone who clapped on their doorsteps to support the call.

A 12-metre billboard was being driven past Parliament bearing the slogan: “Clapped us? Back us. Nursing staff are fighting to get their work recognised.”

The RCN said that more than 10,000 people had emailed their MP, calling on them to tell Chancellor Rishi Sunak to commit to a fully funded pay award in the upcoming spending review.

Nursing staff are worse off than they were 10 years ago as pay has not kept pace with inflation, the RCN said.

General secretary Dame Donna Kinnair said: “The clapping was powerful and lifted the spirits of many, but the government must grasp the nettle this year and value the work of nursing staff.

“It shouldn’t have taken a pandemic and public applause to shine a light on this work, but the government has an opportunity now to end years of injustice.

“The job is tough and complex and yet we are worse off now than years ago. If you clapped us, then now is the time to show you still back us.”