Nick Ferrari astonished that 'someone who makes oven chips is deciding nurses' pay'

20 December 2022, 15:08

Nick Ferrari takes a look at the independent pay review body

Madeleine Wilson

By Madeleine Wilson

"Have I gone raving mad?": Nick Ferrari despairs at the members delegated to the NHS's independent pay review body.

Nick Ferrari spoke to listeners after the Cabinet Minister in charge of contingency planning for strikes said the government is 'resolute' on pay, as nurses threaten further industrial action.

READ MORE: Soldiers driving ambulances 'can't run red lights because it would break the law' during strikes, minister claims

In an interview on Sunday, Duchy Chancellor of Lancaster Oliver Dowden acknowledged that while the situation is "challenging" the government has to be 'sensible' with finances.

His comments as members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), due to walk out on December 20, threaten that the union will escalate the industrial action if ministers fail to engage in talks within 48 hours.

READ MORE: RCN General Secretary tells LBC how the govt can end strike action

Nurses have complained of burnout amid huge pressures on the NHS. Vacancies for nursing jobs reached 47,000 in September - a record high.

Nick told listeners that the chairperson is appointed by the Prime Minister and the other members are selected by either the PM or Secretary of State.

Nick said: "So you're only there because the PM gave you the job or the Health Secretary."

Nurses in Newcastle join strike action

Nick then began to list those working on the pay review body.

"We've already learned that it's chaired by a woman with considerable experience in the field of ITV. Another member, Anne Fillmore, has had a career in human resources including working at the post office.

"Well, we all know what an absolute success that has been if you were a sub postmaster or postmistress. Another member, Neville Hounsome, has worked as HR director in both public and private not-for-profit sectors, he's worked for Norfolk Constabulary and Mcain foods.

"Well they make oven chips, don't they?"

"So why have we got someone who is involved with making oven chips, deciding what a nurse's pay is, have I gone raving mad?"

READ MORE: Nurses 'dreading Christmas' with many 'worried about paying rent' warns union boss Pat Cullen

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

'Our wombs are owned by Westminister': Myleene Klass hits out at government for neglecting women going through baby loss

'Our wombs are owned by Westminster': Myleene Klass hits out at government for neglecting women experiencing baby loss

Exclusive
Nick Ferrari Challenge: Can LBC’s Henry Riley recreate Daniel Khalife’s prison escape?

Nick Ferrari Challenge: Can LBC’s Henry Riley recreate Daniel Khalife’s dramatic prison escape?

Exclusive
Mandy Damari, the mother of Emily Damari - the last remaining British citizen being held hostage in Gaza - has pleaded with Sir Keir Starmer to help bring her daughter home as she looked back on the harrowing events of October 7.

'It nearly broke my heart': Mother of British hostage Emily Damari blasts Downing Street over vetoed Gaza deal

Exclusive
Jane Rubens, 73, from Edinburgh was hit by a large vehicle in early November and remains in a coma.

Insurance firm gave Brit 'less than 24 hours' to make a decision against doctors’ advice after mum suffered brain injury

Exclusive
LBC’s Nick Ferrari has remembered being spiked while at a party.

‘The whole world was spinning’: Nick Ferrari candidly recalls drink spiking as he shares 'appalling' side-effects

Exclusive
‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK critically unprepared for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK 'woefully unprepared' for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Why did Trump win and why did Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters

Why did Trump win and Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters in the wake of US election results

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the US'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said she strongly disagrees with a tweet that a backbench MP appeared to have reposted saying Kemi Badenoch represents "white supremacy in blackface".

Cooper condemns 'appalling' tweet shared by Dawn Butler labelling Kemi Badenoch 'white supremacy in blackface'

Exclusive
Cumberland County: Where the US election could be won or lost

Nick Ferrari travels to America for the US Election: Watch the best bits here

Exclusive
The Chancellor was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Chancellor ‘doesn’t know’ salary of new chairman tasked with ensuring government ‘value for money'

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust in the criminal justice system', says Jenrick

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust' in criminal justice system, says Jenrick

Exclusive
The government has introduced its football governance bill.

'We're on the same side': Minister denies feud with Premier League over Football Governance Bill

Exclusive
Protest sign reading Danger water pollution, this water is polluted with raw sewage. The responsible party is Thames Water. River Wey, Guildford, UK

Government warns demand for water could outstrip supply as they launch review into 'broken' sector