Responding to calls from the Royal College of Nursing for negotiations on pay to take place over the summer, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"Settling public sector pay awards for 2024/25 must be an urgent priority for the next government.

"The NHS has been waiting for an announcement since April.

"Staff, particularly those in lower pay bands, are feeling the pinch while trusts are unable to properly plan for the year ahead."