Dominic Raab fails to confirm whether NHS staff on frontline of coronavirus battle will receive pay rise
Dominic Raab has noted the sacrifices those on the frontline of the coronavirus battle are making but would not confirm whether NHS staff would be given a pay rise.
The Foreign Secretary did acknowledge those working to tackle Covid-19 would be formally recognised.
Mr Raab, currently deputising for Prime Minister Boris Johnson who is receiving hospital treatment for the virus, was asked during the Government’s daily briefing whether health staff deserved a rise.
He said: “There will be a moment when we look at how we formally recognise all of those on the front line who have done so much to pull us through this very difficult period for our country.”
UK landmarks light up blue for NHS staff fighting coronavirus
Mr Raab also urged people across the country to consider those working on the front lines if they are considering not following the Government’s measures ahead of the bank holiday.
He said: “Above all, as we go into this long bank holiday weekend, I think people should think very long and hard, not just about the guidance and the importance of keeping it up, but about what happens to those on the NHS front line who are doing a heroic job, if people in large numbers don’t comply with those rules.
“I would urge everyone just to take a moment before they do anything, however warm it is, however great the temptation, just to think about the sacrifices those on the front line, particularly in our NHS, are making.”
Mr Raab was speaking after chairing a meeting of the Government’s Cobra civil contingencies committee to consider how it would proceed with the three-week review, due next week, of the lockdown rules.
He said the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) would be looking at the evidence but it would not be possible to say any more until the end of next week.
The news comes after the death toll in the UK rose to 881 to 7,978 today.
Among those who died is Dr Abdul Mabud Chowdhury who had previously called on the Prime Minister to provide more Personal Protective Clothing (PPE) for NHS workers.
