NHS bosses in Essex have been accused of reneging on a pay deal and withholding £3,000 in wages owed to staff.

In August, East Suffolk & North Essex NHS Trust, which runs Colchester Hospital, agreed to regrade healthcare support staff in recognition of their responsibilities.

Public-sector union Unison said that some of the trust’s longest-serving support staff, who had been historically underpaid, have received thousands of pounds less than they were promised.