Unite ambulance workers are to go ahead with strike action on 2 May after members rejected the government’s pay offer.

Just over half (52%) of members voted to reject the offer in a ballot turnout of 55%.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite was clear from the start it was very unlikely this offer would be accepted. It is quite frankly a joke that NHS workers are being forced to fight for a decent pay rise after years of pay freezes and all their sacrifices during the pandemic.

“The government should be delivering generous rewards for that instead of a parade of insults bullying and lies about our industrial action. Unite will be backing our NHS members 100%.

“Unite’s members will now return to the picket line to continue their fight. Rishi Sunak now needs to take over this mess, roll his sleeves up and sort it. Isn’t that what a prime minister is supposed to do – lead for goodness sake?”

Royal College of Nursing members have also rejected the offer of a 5% pay rise and one-off bonus payment although planned strike action by the union has been cut short due to a High Court ruling.

UNISON members have accepted the government’s pay deal.