THE prospect of NHS strikes stepped closer yesterday as Unison members in England rejected the government’s 3 per cent pay offer by an overwhelming 80 per cent.

The union, which is demanding a minimum £2,000 rise, said that the result of its summer consultation would trigger an indicative ballot to gauge support for the sustained and widespread industrial action it believes necessary to change ministers’ minds.

Members of the Royal College of Nursing have already overwhelmingly rejected the 3 per cent offer in England, and members of Unite and GMB are also expected to give it a massive thumbs-down.