Jane Pilgrim

Who is Jane Pilgrim?

Jane Pilgrim is an English full-time trade union organiser working in the National Health Service for UNISON. She came to public attention in 2011 after criticising the government's health policies. Despite being billed as a nurse, she was found to be a full-time trade union official, being paid an annual salary of £40,000 by the hospital. She is now under investigation by both St George's Hospital and UNISON for running a private health consultancy called 'The Pilgrim Way' on the side, creating a conflict of interests.

After this discovery, full-time taxpayer-funded trade union officials have become known as "Pilgrims", with an Early Day Motion being introduced to the House of Commons condemning such practices. David Morris MP has raised the issue with the Health Secretary, while Alok Sharma MP asked a question of the Prime Minister. David Cameron responded that "It's nice work if you can get it!" Sharma has also sent Freedom of Information requests to all local councils to uncover how many "Pilgrims" are employed in local government, with the replies indicating at least £35m a year being spent, with 2,493 full-time equivalent public sector employees worked for trade unions at the taxpayers’ expense in 2009-10. .