Nursing staff and unions have criticised the proposed reduction in the rate paid for annual leave accrued while working overtime, as well as an 8.5% increase in staff car parking charges at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. There are also plans to change the parking contract to a different provider, which could result in ‘prohibitive fines’, they say. Unions warn that nursing staff are being ‘financially pushed to the edge’ as a result of the changes. The RCN also accuses the trust of failing to consult properly with trade unions. A spokesperson for the group that oversees the trust says the changes are necessary due to ‘financial pressures’.