Paul Rees MBE, Chief Executive and Registrar, said: 

“For the first time in a decade, we are proposing to increase the registration fee.

“The intention of the freeze was to help nursing and midwifery professionals at a time of a cost-of-living crisis and high inflation. At the same time, it has seen our income contract by 28% in real terms – and will equate to £180m in lost income up to the end of the current financial year.

“We are now using up our reserves to pay for day-to-day running costs, and our Executive Board no longer believes the freeze in the fee is sustainable.

“We are currently reducing our costs – and have taken the difficult decision to propose reducing our headcount by 145 roles, which is 10% of posts.”

He added: “If there is an increase in the registration fee, we will use the increased funding to pay for the ongoing transformation of the NMC – as we gradually improve Fitness to Practise; work to improve education and standards; fix our culture and embed equity, diversity and inclusion, including becoming an anti-racist organisation.

“The changes we are making will enable us to meet our core priorities of protecting the public, maintaining confidence in the nursing and midwifery professions and upholding the standards of proficiency.

“Through building a new NMC, we are ensuring that we become the strong and independent regulator that everyone wants to see.

“If the consultation goes ahead, we will encourage everyone to share their thoughts on the fee changes. Whether you are a nurse, midwife or nursing associate on our register, a student, a member of the public or someone involved in the wider health and social care sector, we would be keen to hear your thoughts.”

Does the fee increase mean the procurement of expensive firms will cease?