Health unions call 3.3% pay rise for 1.4m NHS staff in England ‘an insult’

Unions accuse government of acting in bad faith after Wes Streeting announces details of increase

Health unions have criticised the 3.3% pay rise imposed on 1.4 million NHS staff in England as an insult", with one threatening to strike over the below-inflation award.

They described the increase announced by Wes Streeting, the health secretary, as a betrayal" of the frontline workers - including nurses, midwives and porters - who will receive it for 2026-27. The 3.3% is less than inflation, which stood at 3.4% last month, but above the rate of inflation that is expected during the next financial year.