CHANCELLOR Philip Hammond must loosen the purse strings on the NHS in his upcoming budget, Unite argued yesterday as an alarming number of nurses are leaving the profession.

Around 10 per cent of nurses from Britain have left the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register over the last 12 months, the union said.

It comes after it was reported in July that 20 per cent more people left than joined it between 2016-17.

The NMC figures come amid reports that Mr Hammond wants any increase in NHS funding tied to “higher productivity.”

Unite lead professional officer for regulation Jane Beach said: "Our nurse members tell us that they are struggling to manage financially and Unite branches have had to make emergency payments so registered nurses can make ends meet.
 
"It is time to show respect to the nursing profession by paying them what they are worth, as well as immediately restoring the bursary for those graduates training to be nurses."
 
The union is calling for recommendations by the independent pay review body to be honoured and fully funded by the Treasury.