Pounds of love: Kate Bush backs pay rise for NHS staff
"Let’s hope they get the pay rises they rightly deserve"
Kate Bush has praised NHS staff in a new Christmas message, and called for a pay rise for frontline workers in the UK.
In a new post on her website titled ‘A Christmas Message’, Bush reflected on the year that was 2021, writing: “With nearly two years of COVID, are any of us the same people we were before? It’s left everyone confused and uncertain of the future.
“It’s been a terrible time of loss for so many. I want to say a big thank you to all the people on the front line and in the NHS,” she added. “I have such huge respect for all the nurses and doctors who’ve already been working flat out for nearly two years.”
“These caring people are showing such extraordinary acts of kindness to others. Let’s hope they get the pay rises they rightly deserve.”
Later on in the message, Bush told an anecdote about her recent experiences of birdwatching. “I’d like to mention something that happened a few weeks ago on a walk,” she began.
“Stopping to look at the view, I noticed something moving in a tree right beside me. It was a Goldcrest – the smallest bird in Europe, even smaller than a wren. I stood still, hoping not to frighten it away. Its colouring is beautiful – a peacock’s eye on each wing and a striking yellow streak on its tiny head.
“This gorgeous little ball of fluff flew away after ten minutes or so. I’ve only ever seen one once before and very briefly. It made my day. In these strange times, I really hope you can get the chance to stop for a moment and feel nature around you,” she concluded.
“Please stay safe. Wishing you a restful Christmas and hoping 2022 is a happier year for everyone.”
Elsewhere, Outkast‘s Big Boi has revealed that he has written and recorded a new collaboration with Bush, which he calls a “monster hit”.
The song, which will be released “whenever I think [fans] deserve it” according to the rapper, is also set to feature an NFT (non-fungible token) element.
Big Boi has been teasing the collaboration since as early as 2012, when he told fans to “stay tuned” regarding a song with Bush, before teasing it once again last year.