The news came as healthcare assistants at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust agreed to pause industrial action to resume talks.

UNISON East Midlands regional secretary Chris Jenkinson said: 'It's time for the chief executive to realise these NHS workers are in no mood to back down. He needs to make them a reasonable offer that address years of historical pay inequality.

'However, if he continues to ignore healthcare workers, we will significantly escalate our strike action with staff across Kettering, Leicester and Northampton walking out at the same time next month.'

Union members say they are routinely undertaking clinical tasks, such as taking blood, performing electrocardiogram tests and inserting cannulas, which are beyond their band 2 salary band that entails only providing personal care.

In further news, junior doctors in Northern Ireland announced a two-day strike over pay to run from 22 May to 24 May. Further strike action is also scheduled for 6-8 June.

Elsewhere in the UK, junior doctors in England agreed in May to meet the Government for new talks. Talks are also being held between junior doctors and Government in Wales and a deal was struck in Scotland in August 2023.