The RCM board met to discuss next steps and approved a consultation, which will be launched on Monday 16 June and run for three weeks, closing Monday 7 July. 

The RCM says that, as in previous years, it will be led by its members and is urging all Agenda for Change members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure their details are up to date so they are able to have their say when the consultation opens.

RCM director for employment relations, Joanne Kaye, said: ‘We know how hard our members work, day in day out and this pay award is the very least they deserve.

'While it's good that the Government has moved on from its previous 2.8% offer, we know that members will be disappointed that the 3.6% barely covers an inflationary rise. That is why we want to gauge the feelings of all our members across the three nations of this pay award. We are urging them to have their say and to encourage colleagues to also make their voices heard.'

She added: ‘There is still much work to be done on other non-pay elements for Agenda for Change staff, and after longstanding calls from the RCM and other NHS staff side unions, we are making progress.

‘We will be holding the governments to account on their commitments for longer-term pay reform. We believe there is an opportunity to improve terms and conditions, and work-life balance for our members and we will continue to lobby hard for those changes.'