THE Royal College of Midwives (RCM) said “immediate and decisive action” was needed to save its workforce as it called for a real-terms pay rise for 2024/25.

In its evidence to the NHS pay review body, it warned midwives have “borne the brunt” of years of pay stagnation and underinvestment in the NHS, with the profession often lacking the work-life balance and flexibility highly valued by young workers.

Today RCM general secretary Gill Walton warned it has “never been more crucial that staff see real-terms pay rises.”