Thousands of nurses, teachers, and doctors will find out today what pay rises they will receive as workers face a cost of living crisis and battle staff shortages.

But unions have warned the government against giving pay rises that are well below the rate of inflation.

There has been speculation that the offers will be around 5%, which unions point out is less than half the current level of RPI inflation.

NHS workers have been waiting months for a pay rise, which was due in April.

It comes a few weeks after doctors demanded a 30% pay rise as some medics warned they may have to go on strike.

A list of public sector professions that will see their pay awards announced on Tuesday includes: teachers, health workers on the Agenda for Change contract (including nurses), doctors and dentists, police officers, the armed forces, prison officers, NHS very senior managers, the judiciary, senior civil servants, senior military, and police and crime commissioners.

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But Unison’s head of health Sara Gorton said: “With inflation expected to go even higher this week, reports of a 5% wage rise won’t go down well with struggling NHS staff.

“The public understands an above-inflation pay increase is needed or fed-up health workers won’t hang around.

“If the staffing exodus continues, waits for ambulances, operations and other treatments won’t reduce.

“The government says it’s committed to the NHS, but a pay increase falling far short of prices won’t take the heat out of the staffing crisis.

“Ministers must avoid stumbling into an unnecessary dispute by giving a fair pay rise that protects patients and the NHS too.”

Royal College of Nursing general secretary and chief executive Pat Cullen said: “With inflation already at 11.7% and set to soar even higher later this year, staff will find yet another real-terms fall in salaries completely unacceptable.

“There are tens of thousands of vacant nurse jobs, and unfair treatment will push more out of the profession.

“Our members in Scotland have an offer on the table of the level reported, and we have come out against it – asking members to reject it and consider industrial action if ministers do not move.

“Nursing is a highly skilled profession which deserves fair pay. Their work and current personal hardship warrants better from government, and ministers must do the right thing by nursing.”

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