A DEAL to give NHS workers pay rise of at least 6.5 per cent over three years has been welcomed as great news for nurses and staff at Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital.

Proposals will see wage rises of between 6.5 per cent and 29 per cent for over 1.1 million NHS workers in England, including nurses and midwives.

The lowest-earning NHS staff - such as porters, cleaners and hospital caterers - will see their wages rise by 15 per cent, a newly-qualified nurse will receive a starting pay 12.6 per cent higher in 2020-2021 than this year, while starting pay for a midwife will increase by 18.1 per cent.

MP Rachel Maclean said: “NHS staff work incredibly hard, day in, day out, right across the country and including here in Redditch at the Alex. I have seen this for myself and have a great admiration for the great work that they do.

“We are committed to the delivery of world-class public services and ensuring that public sector workers are fairly remunerated for the vitally important work they do.

"This announcement is only possible because of the balanced approach the government is taking – investing in our public services like the NHS and helping families with the cost of living while at the same time seeing our debt falling.”