The proposal by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to increase its registration fee by 18% is excessive and unreasonable, says UNISON.
A letter signed by 47 MPs and peers denouncing the increase has been sent to the HCPC ahead of its meeting tomorrow (Thursday) when the board is voting on the proposal.
The changes will affect 15 health and care professions regulated by the HCPC across the UK. This includes paramedics, radiographers, occupational therapists and biomedical scientists. Regulated professionals are required to pay an annual fee to be allowed to practise.
If the fee increase is imposed, HCPC fees will have risen by 40% since 2014, way outstripping inflation and pay increases, says UNISON.
A recent UNISON consultation revealed the overwhelming majority (99%) of people represented by the HCPC don’t support the increase, with 76% saying the Council isn’t good value for money.
The increase is likely to have a big impact on part-time workers who have to pay the full fee despite not receiving a full-time salary, says UNISON.
UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “This increase is effectively a tax on practising with little legitimate justification.
“The HCPC should be doing all it can to encourage people to continue in their professions, not discouraging them with such a disproportionate hike in fees.
“HCPC must listen to its registrants and scrap this increase.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anna Mauremootoo T:0207 121 5555 E: a.mauremootoo@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk