Planned strike action by ambulance workers in England this week has been cancelled after the government and unions agreed to begin talks.

The strike action by ambulance workers was scheduled to take place today and Wednesday.

Speaking yesterday, Unite head of operations Gail Cartmail, said: “Following further assurances from the government over the weekend Unite has in good faith agreed to pause the strike action.

“If the meeting doesn’t meet these assurances strike action will resume.”

The statement from Unite came after the GMB and Unison also called off action.

UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “Unions said all along they could pause strikes if ministers would only commit to formal talks to boost pay for this year.

“The government has finally promised extra investment in pay for both this and next year.”

Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said: “GMB ambulance workers announced a tightening of the derogations for cover on strike days.  

“Less than 24 hours later we received a letter from the secretary of state for health, Steve Barclay, inviting us and other unions to pay talks. 

“This is a huge shift from the government, who for months have refused to consider negotiations on pay.  

“Now, they are saying they are willing to sit down and talk.”

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has also agreed to pause action while nurses announced they would halt strikes in order to begin intensive pay talks last month.

Action by junior doctors is still scheduled to take place on March 13-15.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We’re pleased that unions representing the majority of ambulance workers, nurses, physiotherapists, porters, cleaners and other non-medical staff have agreed to pause strikes and enter a process of intensive talks.

“We want to find a fair and reasonable settlement that recognises the vital role of NHS workers, the wider economic pressures facing the UK and the prime minister’s priority to halve inflation.”