A 3 per cent pay rise for NHS staff is likely to be funded from an increase in national insurance that was intended to pay for overhauling social care, The Times has been told.
The government announced yesterday that hundreds of thousands of public sector workers, including teachers, police, soldiers and prison officers would be given a pay freeze, prompting threats of strikes. The only sector granted an exemption is the NHS. Nurses, paramedics, consultants and other staff will be given a 3 per cent pay rise, in line with official recommendations.
The pay rise, which is likely to cost about £1.5 billion, will probably be funded from what has been billed as a new health and social care tax. This is likely to add
