I believe that the passion, commitment, and specialist knowledge of our NHS staff is part of what makes our NHS so special. The NHS has once again been rated the best healthcare system in the world, something that is only possible thanks to the dedication and hard work of all NHS staff, supported by a strong economy.

Nurses are also playing an integral part of the national effort to combat coronavirus - and we owe them a great deal of gratitude for all that they do. How we value and retain NHS staff is critical, and following constructive negotiations between NHS employers and trade unions, a new deal will see a 6.5 per cent pay rise for over one million NHS workers over three years. This will benefit not just nurses, but all staff on the Agenda for Change pay scale.

Those on the lowest salaries in the NHS will see some of the largest proportionate pay rises and these nurses and healthcare assistants will enjoy pay increases of at least 25 per cent. Ministers set aside £800 million to support the deal for 2018/19, and the Government’s long term funding settlement for the NHS, which will provide increased funding of £33.9 billion per year in real terms by 2023/24, will fund the pay rise over the remaining two years.