[haydnwalker]

I don't think Andrew Lansley's thoughts have anything to do with cost-of-living. I think its to do with keeping posh people in the south to spend all of their disposable income there. And saving money in the NHS on wages/pensions payments etc

Chris: Don't you think a Paramedic/Nurse in Newcastle deserves the same pay as somewhere like Hertfordshire? (I specifically didn't mention London) They do the same job...deal with very ill/dying people?

Perhaps what would work better in your "if its cheaper to live you should get paid less" thought, would be to add a broader "southern weighting" to the south of england on top of the standard pay bands.