Today the NMC announced that council have signed off the proposed fee increase which will come into force in the Autumn.

Other information shared suggests that this may be the start of a number of "small rises" perhaps making it more palatable or for some cynics amongst us - easier to get passed through...

The issue here isn't the increase or the amount it is increased it is the process that it has come about

Yet another external contract was awarded for the consultation which included fee increases and change in FtP rules - the consultation showed that there was general opposition around the increase and yet despite this costly exercise could have been avoided if it was always going to be passed  - the consultation was in total £82470 - equivalent to 687 current annual fees!!

Commentary on social media is equally as angry with the general tone being disgust that in the current economic climate registrants wishes have been ignored and also general distrust that there is no proper and independant governance around how our fees are being spent 

But without there being any accountability or ultimately registrants having any voice - there is nothing that can be done unless government step in - they have quite a lot distracting them currently...!!