More than a million NHS staff in England will get a 5 percent pay rise after health unions backed the deal.

The pay deal was signed off at a meeting between the government and 14 health unions representing all NHS staff apart from doctors and dentists.

Staff including ambulance workers, nurses, physios and porters will also get a one-off sum of at least 1,655 pounds.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said he was pleased the unions had accepted the offer, which was first proposed in March, after members have to vote on it.

“Where some unions may choose to remain in dispute, we hope their members – many of whom voted to accept this offer – will recognise this as a fair outcome that carries the support of their colleagues and decide it is time to bring industrial action to an end.

“We will continue to engage constructively with unions on workforce changes to ensure the NHS is the best place to work for staff, patients and taxpayers

Source: Kuwait News Agency