A strike by NHS staff planned for tomorrow has been suspended after the governemt made a new offer in a dispute over pay.

The walk out by union members has been put on hold after the Department of Health was said to have agreed to more staff receiving a one per cent pay increase and other lower paid workers getting an extra £200 annually. 

The offer is also believed to include increasing the lowest pay scale to £15,100 a year.

The government also said the NHS Pay Review Body will continue to make future recommendations on pay staff in 2016/17.

Strikes across the NHS held across the country last year after the government's decision not to implement a recommended 1% pay rise to all staff.

UNISON's lead negotiator, Christina McAnea said: "The two strike days staged by health workers last year have moved the government to negotiate with the unions.

"This isn't a great offer but it addresses some of the key concerns unions have about low pay in the NHS.

“In the interest of patients' safety unions will now consult members.

"It will be up to members to decide whether to accept or reject the proposals. If they choose to reject them we will move to further industrial action."