The CQC aims to continue with “business as usual” despite a one-day strike by staff today as part of ongoing industrial action over pay.

UNISON, PCS and Unite members at inspection teams, call centres and data analysis are striking today.

A CQC spokesperson said: “We aim to continue to operate business as usual in all areas as industrial action is ongoing. We will be actively monitoring any impact to our work on the days industrial action is taking place and working hard to make sure this has limited impact on our regulatory activity.”

UNISON national officer Matthew Egan said: “Without CQC staff, all sorts of abuses, malpractice and neglect would go unnoticed in health and care services.

“The strike will have an inevitable impact on the commission’s work with delays and cancellations to inspections, worsening the huge backlog. Without government intervention the dispute could escalate and drag on for months.

“Wage levels at the commission simply don’t reflect its essential work that makes a real difference to the care and treatment of huge numbers of people. Improving pay will make a real difference in stemming the staff exodus.

“The CQC has to think again about this substandard pay award and has to be allowed to negotiate with unions directly to avoid further disruption.”

Union members began a work to rule last month which is due to continue until September after employees voted to strike after they received a pay increase of between 2.75% and 3.5%.