Yorkshire MP Jon Trickett uses Early Day Motion to call on NHS workers to be given a pay rise of at least 15 per cent

Hemsworth MP Jon Trickett has tabled an Early Day Motion, which has been signed by 16 other mostly Labour MPs, demanding a "fair deal for healthcare workers".

In March the Government recommended that NHS staff in England should receive a one per cent pay increase this year. Many other public-sector workers will have their pay frozen, with the government warning that the country's finances are under "huge pressure" because of the pandemic.

The motion "expresses dismay at the Government’s offer of a derisory one per cent pay rise to healthcare workers" and "recognises the heroic efforts of healthcare workers who have been on the frontline throughout the pandemic and have put their own health at risk in order to help others".

Mr Trickett said: “The public are disgusted by the Government’s offer of a one per cent pay increase for our healthcare workers who have put their lives on the line caring for our loved ones throughout the pandemic. When the cost of living is taken into account, this amounts to a disgraceful pay cut.

“Only a year ago the Prime Minister and the Chancellor posed for the television cameras outside Number 10 and 11 Downing Street to clap our key workers, but they won’t put their hands in their pockets to pay them a fair wage.

“The Government never struggles to find money to pay their Tory chums for dodgy contracts, but they refuse to find money for the people who keep our country going.”

It came as Chancellor and North Yorkshire MP Rishi Sunak defended the pay recommendations for public sector workers as he was questioned in the Commons.

Shadow Treasury minister Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) raised the issue of "real-terms pay cuts" for public-sector workers with Mr Sunak.

He responded: "With regard to public-sector pay, I do believe it is right at a time of extraordinary strain on our public finances, where those in the private sector have seen over a million jobs lost, hours cut, wages cut and many millions furloughed, with the impact that has on them.

"I do think it's right to take a fair and proportionate approach to public-sector pay, which is why this Government has said that those on the lowest pay will see a pay rise this year.

"Those in the NHS will see a pay rise as well and combined with all the other pay progression means a majority of people in the public sector will see their pay increase this year, despite the difficult circumstances, and of course the national living wage is also being increased ahead of inflation, making sure those on the lowest incomes do see an uplift in their take-home pay."

Early Day Motions (EDMs) are used by MPs in the Commons to draw the attention of the House to a particular issue, event or campaign. Other MPs may show their support for an EDM by adding their own signature to it.