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Prime ministers

NHS and Public Sector Recruitment Drive Launched Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the UK battles to see off the coronavirus pandemic, a recruitment blitz will be launched to encourage people to take up frontline jobs across the NHS, teaching, and prisons. The drive, initiated by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, aims to bolster the country's public sector workforce in the coming year. With over one million jobs lost due to COVID-19 restrictions, the government is seeking to attract new recruits to its ranks. The recruitment drive will be accompanied by a TV advertising campaign targeting police officers, set to start on January 5.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of nurses in the NHS in England increased by 13,313 to a record 299,184 last year, with ministers pledging to recruit 50,000 more nurses by 2024.
  • The number of doctors rose by 6,030, with almost 122,500 registered in the country, as of September.
  • Teacher numbers are up, with 41,000 new trainees recruited during 2020, while the Government plans to recruit 20,000 more police officers before the next election.
  • 1,760 prison officers and 443 probation officers were recruited across England and Wales in 2020, with plans to hire an additional 3,200 prison officers and 1,500 probation officers in 2021/22.
  • The Royal College of Nursing warned that the level of unfilled nurse jobs remains high, with a need for an early and significant NHS pay rise and support for nursing students.
  • Unions are demanding an end to the public sector pay freeze and a significant pay rise for workers.

Statistics:

  • 299,184: Number of nurses in the NHS in England as of last year.
  • 13,313: Increase in nurses in the NHS in England last year.
  • 50,000: Target number of nurses to be recruited by 2024.
  • 122,500: Number of registered doctors in the country, as of September.
  • 41,000: Number of new teacher trainees recruited in 2020.
  • 20,000: Target number of police officers to be recruited before the next election.
  • 1,760: Number of prison officers recruited in 2020.
  • 443: Number of probation officers recruited in 2020.

Sources:

  • Department of Health and Social Care
  • Royal College of Nursing
  • Number 10 spokesman
  • Unison assistant general secretary Christina McAnea
  • Ministry of Justice

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