The government has led NHS workers a merry dance and ministers should hang their heads in shame at such disgraceful treatment.
Despite a widespread expectation that the long-awaited pay announcement would happen today, ministers have cruelly dashed the hopes of thousands of exhausted and dedicated health workers.
UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “The government has behaved disgracefully towards NHS staff.
“Health workers are on the cusp of another wave of the deadly virus and have already been through so much. They’ve been treated shabbily.
“Just as NHS staff thought ministers were at last to announce the pay rise they’ve more than earned, hopes have been cruelly dashed.
“The government has led health workers a merry dance. Ministers should hang their heads in shame and get a much-needed grip.
“Scottish NHS workers are already spending their pay rise that’s been backdated to December. The independent NHS pay review body report was delivered to the Prime Minister weeks ago and it’s more than 100 days since health staff in the rest of the UK were due a pay boost.
“This delay is unacceptable and could backfire badly. Many staff are ready to quit but held on in the hope the government would show it does truly value them.
“Now NHS staff may walk just when the public needs them the most. If that happens, the government will have no-one to blame but itself.”