BBC
Intensive talks are due to start later between ministers and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) after the union halted next week’s 48-hour strike in England.
Health Secretary Stephen Barclay will sit down with RCN leader Pat Cullen to discuss a compromise deal to end the stand-off over pay.
The talks are likely to focus on next year’s pay rise, which is due in April.
One option is to backdate it by several months, effectively giving nurses an extra pay boost for part of this year.
Nurses – and other NHS staff below the grade of doctor – were given an average of 4.75% this year.
That award had prompted a wave of strikes by unions representing nurses, ambulance staff and physios, who wanted an above-inflation increase.
The Treasury has refused to sanction any revisiting of that award, fearing it would fuel inflation.
But the resumption of talks came after the government set out its plan for next year’s pay award.
It has suggested an increase of 3.5% for all NHS staff in its submission to the independent NHS Pay Review Body.
The final offer though could be higher – in previous years the pay review body has recommended more than the government initially offered, to which the government has subsequently agreed.
If next year’s pay award is backdated to before April, it would effectively mean a double boost in pay for those months.
Speaking ahead of the talks, Ms Cullen said: “We will put our plans on the table, they can put their plans on the table – but I’m confident that we will come out with a fair pay settlement for our nursing staff.”
She added they would make sure no stone was left unturned and a fair pay deal was reached as quickly as possible so they could end the strikes.
Government sources said they were delighted to be back talking again and were determined to reach a “fair and reasonable settlement”…
