Mark Addison CB, Chair of the NMC, said:

“Today we made the difficult decision to increase the annual registration fee for nurses and midwives to £120.

“We have considered the responses to the consultation in detail and we have listened carefully to the issues raised. We recognise the financial pressures that many nurses and midwives are facing at a time of widespread pay restraint, and the tough and demanding jobs they do.

“However, as Council members and trustees of the NMC, our first duty is to ensure the protection of the public. We are committed to keeping the fee at the lowest level which allows us to fulfil that statutory duty, and we will continue to search for more efficient ways of working.

“Currently, the only way for us to significantly reduce our costs is to change the existing legislation, which requires us to take more cases to a hearing than is necessary. We will continue to press vigorously for changes to our legal framework.”