Nurses in England reject government’s 5.5% pay award

Royal College of Nursing union says members do not yet feel valued and they are looking for urgent action'

Nurses in England have rejected the 5.5% pay rise they were given for this year, in a move that may lead to them to start striking again in pursuit of higher salaries.

Their decision presents Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves and Wes Streeting with an unexpected headache over public spending, especially as it involves a group of frontline NHS staff who enjoy huge public respect and affection.