Doncaster people urged to join slow handclap tonight to protest 'derisory' NHS pay offer

The protest will take place from 8pm – but instead of applause, as in previous shows of support for NHS workers, people will be urged to deliver a slow handclap instead.

A spokesman for MegaphoneUK, which stands up for the country’s unions, said: “The government’s derisory 1% pay rise for healthcare workers just doesn’t cut it.

“But this measly pay offer is far from a done deal. Let’s come together to stand #WithNHSstaff and force our decision makers to do the right thing.

“Communities up and down the country are gathering on the doorstep to support fair pay for healthcare workers with a mass slow handclap.

“NHS staff have cared for our loved ones and communities through this pandemic — now they’re asking us to back them.

“A decent pay rise for NHS staff is fair and deserved. We cannot ignore the work that NHS staff, and all key workers, have put in over the past year.

“Everyone who values the NHS should care about this. Let’s turn out thousands tomorrow on our streets by sharing this protest with our communities.

“We won’t let NHS workers fight this battle alone - together we will force the government to think again.”

The Government’s offer sparked outrage earlier this week as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the rise was ‘as much as we can give.’