NHS staff should be given a pay rise, free parking and a bank holiday in their honour according to the general public, new research reveals.
The UK’s leading savings website, VoucherCodes.co.uk, commissioned a study of more than 2,000 UK adults[1] to understand public opinion of rewards for key workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The data reveals that 66% of Brits believe NHS staff should be granted a pay rise, and almost two in five (39%) think MPs should take a pay cut and redirect this money to NHS workers. Other rewards the nation would like to see granted are free parking and meals while on duty, increased annual leave and discounted travel.
The nation also wants brands to play their part in rewarding NHS staff, with almost two in five (38%) calling for businesses to offer rewards to workers after the pandemic. A further 52% also want key workers to be celebrated.
The study comes as VoucherCodes.co.uk launches its discount hub exclusively for NHS workers, providing discount codes and offers valid only to those with an NHS email address. The deals will be available on an on-going basis to ensure staff continue to be rewarded after the pandemic.
When it comes to what Brits believe to be the most important jobs, supermarket staff and delivery drivers are now viewed as being more important than bankers and lawyers. Almost two-thirds of the population (65%) believe delivery drivers and postal workers have important jobs, compared to just 3% that say the same for lawyers – the role deemed least significant alongside office workers.
With nurses and doctors being ranked as the most important jobs in the UK, 63% of Brits believe the pandemic has served as a “much-needed wake-up call” for the government to give more support to the NHS. Over half (52%) also argue that the NHS is substantially underfunded. The public has also been quick to acknowledge its own self-proclaimed shortcomings, with over a third (37%) recognising that before the pandemic, they took NHS workers for granted.
Despite this, 15% of Brits say NHS staff receive adequate support and almost one in 10 (9%) think the government really looks after the health service. The same number (9%) also believe key workers do not deserve extra credit because they are just doing their jobs.
Anita Naik, Lifestyle Editor at VoucherCodes.co.uk, commented: “NHS staff and other key workers have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to care and provide for the public – in fact, our study shows 57% believe it is key workers that kept the country going.
“It’s now clear that the vast majority believe they should be rewarded for the amazing efforts they have gone to. While brands offered various discounts to workers during the pandemic, we think this support shouldn’t stop – which is why VoucherCodes has launched a hub full of deals specifically for NHS staff.
“Because the codes are only accessible with an NHS email, brands can offer extra special discounts for NHS workers as a thank you for all they have done working on the frontline against Covid-19.”
To access the exclusive hub for NHS workers visit vouchercodes.co.uk/nhsdiscounts – 10% of the money made from these offers will be donated to NHS Charities Together.
