The Royal College of Nursing is expected to reject the Government’s pay offer and could embark on strikes until Christmas, reports suggest.

The union has just closed a ballot of members, having recommended they accept a five per cent rise for this year, plus one-off bonuses. 

Ministers had hoped that a deal with the RCN - and with other health unions who were offered the same proposals - could see off the threat of further industrial action from major staff groups. 

The RCN has yet to publish the results, but The Guardian has reported that the ballot has voted against the deal, and that the union is now planning a fresh vote in order to embark on more aggressive strikes for a period of six months.

The RCN had urged its members to support the proposals, which involved a one-off bonus of between £1,655 and £3,800 for the financial year 2022/23. 

But the calls from Pat Cullen, the general secretary, were met by a vigorous “Vote Reject” campaign. 

A spokesman for the RCN would only say: “The vote has closed and the figures are being verified. There is no result until that point. We will make an announcement later today and tell our members first.”

A ballot by Unison, which represents ambulance staff and other health workers, is due to close at 3pm on Friday. 

Meanwhile, fresh strikes are set to be held by civil servants after unions attacked an announcement of a pay rise for this year of between 4.5 per cent and five per cent. 

Prospect said its members will walk out on May 10 and June 7 across government departments and other areas such as the Met Office and Health and Safety Executive.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.