NMC Council noted that previous rises “were very unpopular with nurses and midwives”.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has pledged to keep its annual fee at £120 for “as long as possible”.
During a NMC council meeting on 30 March, it was agreed that the fee would not rise and efforts should be made to ensure it remains “affordable by nurses, midwives and nursing associates”.
According to the council papers, the government has also stated that fee rises should be kept to a minimum. The NMC also admitted to generating additional income through its new investment policy.
The renewal fee was £76 until February 2013, when it was increased to £100; a subsequent increase in February 2015 saw it jump to £120 – a rise of nearly 60% in just two years.
NMC Council noted that these rises “were very unpopular with nurses and midwives”.
Small, more regular increases.
However, the NMC does appear to admit that at some point, a rise would be needed.
It was suggested that they should “avoid large, sudden increases” and instead opt for “small, more regular increases”, which would be more affordable to registrants.
The papers added: “Council will continue to review the need for fee changes each year, using our rolling three year budget to identify when fee increases are necessary and plan for them so as to minimise the impact on registrants.”
Any proposed changes to the NMC’s fees would require a public consultation and approval by the Privy Council alongside Westminster.
The process takes a minimum of six months from the point of Council approval to the new fees taking effect.
