THE Government has confirmed that there will be no new money to fund the three per cent pay rise that has been offered to NHS staff in England.

One union said the offer fell short of expectations and how the insult of the Government's initial one per cent offer had done lasting damage to staff morale and their trust in ministers.

The news of the pay offer came as No 10 confirmed the rise would come out of the existing health service’s budget.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: "The pay uplift will be funded from within the NHS budget but we are very clear that it will not impact funding already earmarked for the NHS front line.

"You will already know that we gave the NHS a historical settlement in 2018, which saw its budget rise by £33.9 billion by 2023/24 and we’ve provided £92 billion to support the NHS and social care throughout the pandemic."

However, UNISON North West health lead James Bull said: “Dedicated staff have been waiting far too long for a decent pay rise.

"That the government has moved from the insult of one per cent shows ministers realise the damage that’s been done.

"But the memory of one per cent, combined with lengthy delay, has done lasting damage to morale and the trust staff have in ministers. The government will have to do much more to win that back.

"Even though the Prime Minister has moved in the right direction, the increase will fall short of expectations.

"Pay is so important not just for staff but for the NHS too. After the nightmare of the past year, health workers need to know the government has their back and understands what they’ve been through.

"As staff ready themselves to deal with another wave, the government must speak up and show it values what they’ve done. Not just during the pandemic but in tackling the mammoth backlog too.

"Unions will now consult their members to determine their approach to the 3 per cent pay award."

MPs across mid-Cheshire have also had their say on the new pay offer, with Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who represents Weaver Vale, saying the Government needed to up its offer to reward the heroes who 'put their lives on the line during the pandemic'.

He said: "We need to move beyond platitudes of clapping and medals, which the Conservatives have suggested.

"My own union Unison and GMB - with whom I have a close working relationship as well - have put down a marker of between 12-15 per cent to make up for cuts over a generation.

"The Government needs to get around the table with the unions and properly reward our heroes who put their lives on the line during the pandemic."

Edward Timpson CBE, the elected member for Eddisbury saying staff across the country 'deserved' the pay rise.

He said: "In recognition of their extraordinary efforts during the pandemic, NHS staff in Eddisbury and across the country deserve this pay rise.

"The Secretary of State accepted in full the recommendations of the independent pay review bodies—a three per cent pay rise for those in scope—from doctors and nurses to paramedics and porters.

"I will continue to do everything I can to support all those in our health service in Cheshire who are working so tirelessly to care for patients."

Tatton MP Esther McVey said: "The Independent Pay Review has recommended a three per cent increase and the Secretary of State supported it - which I agree with.

"I've always said I would support the independent reviews’ recommendation for qualifying NHS staff.

"They have done an extraordinary job in these unprecedented times.

"However, I am very conscious that this pay rise comes against a pay freeze for many other public sector workers, who have also been key workers during the pandemic and worked tirelessly to keep us safe and the country going.

"This is why it’s so important to open up the economy now that the majority of people have been double vaccinated.

"Without re-opening the economy we will not have tax receipts coming into the Exchequer to pay for the public sector and their pay increases."