Over one million NHS staff in England will receive an additional pay rise as part of a deal agreed between the government and unions.

The agreement with the RCN, UNISON, GMB, CSP and BDA, includes a one-off bonus of at least £1,250 per worker and a 5% pay increase for 2023/24.

The breakthrough comes after ambulance and nursing unions suspended strike action to enter formal talks.

Health and social care secretary Steve Barclay said: “I hugely admire the incredible work of NHS staff, including during the pandemic and the progress they have made to tackle the resulting backlog.

“This offer will give nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists and other non-medical staff a fair pay rise while protecting our commitment to halve inflation.

“We have engaged in constructive and meaningful discussions with unions and NHS Employers and I look forward to continuing our work together to make the NHS a better place to work.”

RCN general secretary & chief executive Pat Cullen said: “As well as the additional money now, we have made real progress with the government on safe staffing measures, a new pay structure for nursing, support for newly qualified staff and pensions too. 

“It is not a panacea, but it is real tangible progress and the RCN’s member leaders are asking fellow nursing staff to support what our negotiations have secured.”

UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “UNISON will now be putting this offer to the hundreds of thousands of health members in the union in the next few weeks, recommending acceptance.  

“In the coming days, health workers will have the chance to look at the full detail of what’s on offer and decide whether that’s enough to end the dispute. While that process takes place any planned industrial action will be paused.” 

Although Unite said the offer was not one it could recommend it would nonetheless put the offer to its members and pause strike action.