The British government has yielded to years of pressure by nurses and other health staff and offered a pay rise beyond 1 per cent for the first time in 8 years.

More than one million NHS staff, including nurses, have been offered pay increases of at least 6.5 per cent over three years with some getting as much as 29 per cent, reports the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Twelve health unions have agreed to put the offer to members with the results of the vote expected by July. If they agree it will be backdated to April.

“It won’t solve every problem in the NHS, but it will go a long way towards making dedicated health staff feel more valued, lift flagging morale and help turn the tide on staffing problems,” said Sara Gorton from UNISON and the lead negotiator for the health unions.

Nurses’ and midwives’ pay have been strangled in recent years by a 1 per cent pay cap. The Royal College of Nursing claims average pay for nurses has fallen by more than 14 per cent in
real terms since 2010.

The new agreement is complex:

• Half of staff will get a 6.5 per cent pay rise over three years
• The other half will receive rises of between 9 per cent and 29 per cent because they are not at the top of their pay bands
• The lowest full-time salary – paid to the likes of cleaners, porters and catering staff – will rise by 15 per cent to more than £18,000
• A nurse with one year’s experience would see her basic pay rise by 21 per cent over three years, giving her a salary of up to £27,400.