NHS staff are set for average 6 5 per cent pay rise over three years

NHS staff are set for average 6 5 per cent pay rise over three years

Ministers have today finally drawn a line under the public sector pay cap today as a new NHS deal is unveiled.  

Workers in the health service have been offered an average 6.5 per cent rise over three years, while the lowest paid could get up to 30 per cent.

The move marks the end of seven years of tough pay restraint as the Government fought to balance the books in the wake of the credit crunch.

The deal does not cover doctors, who negotiate their pay separately. The BMA yesterday demanded pay rises of 5.6 per cent ahead of a formal pay review.

The largest NHS trade unions today welcomed the deal, which came after months of intense negotiation, and said they would that it is accepted by their members.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt outlined the deal to Parliament, he said it 'recognised the public appreciation for just how much they have done and continue to do'.

'The agreement that NHS trade unions have reached is a something for something deal that brings in profound  changes like productivity in exchange for significant rises in pay.' 

He added: 'Rarely has a pay rise been so deserved for NHS staff who have never worked harder.' 

He said staff are expected to cut sick rates and have a renewed focus on their career development under today's agreement.

Mr Hunt said the £4billion funding to bankroll the change is new money form the Treasury.

But he said the Government is only in a position to offer the extra money because it has been responsible and brought Britain's ballooning deficit down.

Head of health at Unison - the biggest union in the health sector - Sara Gorton said: 'The agreement means an end at last to the Government's self-defeating and unfair one per cent pay cap. 

'It won't solve every problem in the NHS, but would go a long way towards making dedicated health staff feel more valued, lift flagging morale, and help turn the tide on employers' staffing problems.'

She added:  'If health workers accept the offer, everyone's wages will go further, and the lowest paid would get a significant income boost. 

'Starting salaries for nurses, midwives and other health professionals would also become more attractive to people considering a career in the NHS.' 

Royal College of Nursing chief Josie Irwin said: 'Members campaigned hard to put an end to the years of poor pay rises and this deal is a significant move in the right direction from a government still committed to austerity. 

'When there are 40,000 unfilled nurse jobs in England alone, it should begin to make the profession more attractive to nurses of today and tomorrow alike.

'Starting salaries will be higher and current nursing staff will reach the top of their pay bands much faster than before, without changes to their leave entitlement or unsocial hour payments. 

'With this agreement, the government and NHS has acknowledged that the greatest rise in productivity will come from a healthy and motivated workforce.' 

But the GMB is recommending its members reject the pay deal - which it says is still a below inflation rise.

Trade union members will vote on the deal in the coming weeks.

The BMA yesterday demanded a pay rise of RPI inflation plus two per cent for GPs, who negotiate their salary separately to other NHS staff. 

BMA GPs committee chair Richard Vautrey said: 'For too long, GP pay has been in decline, despite working harder than ever to deliver more appointments in an increasingly under-pressure NHS.

'From the outset of these negotiations we have been resolute that we would not accept a 1 per cent uplift for pay and expenses, but made it clear that after a decade of pay cuts, it is time GPs and their staff received a proper pay increase.

'We have therefore provided strong evidence to the DDRB that doctors should be given an uplift of RPI plus 2 per cent, to bring us in line with the wider economy and we expect the Government to fund any DDRB recommendation.'

Theresa May signalled she was ready to loosen the purse strings after the general election last year, when anger about austerity was seen as one of the main reasons for the Tories losing their overall majority. 

And she has come under continued pressure from her Tory backbenchers to give NHS staff a pay rise.   

Funds are expected to be made available for similar pay rises in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The deal will be structured to give higher rises to the lowest paid.

Pay bands will be changed so that workers can move more quickly through their pay grade.

The NHS has nine different pay bands, ranging from £15,000 a year for porters, cleaners and kitchen staff to more than £100,000 for senior managers.

A nurse starts on band five, with an initial salary of £22,000.

The highest paid frontline position is band eight, which attracts salaries of up to £80,000 a year.

It is thought those on the lowest salaries could see their pay rise b