A NORTH-EAST MP has backed a campaign calling for the Government to scrap the one per cent public sector pay cap for nurses ahead of the upcoming budget.

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson met with frontline nurses on his return to parliament where he said he heard how low pay had had a detrimental impact on morale, the ability to recruit and retain nurses, and patient safety.

According to the Labour MP, since 2010, NHS nursing staff have experienced a 14 per cent real-terms pay cut as a result of Government policy on pay in the public sector- leaving pay packets £3,000 worse off each year.

Frontline Royal College of Nursing members told the Labour MP that 372 nurses were affected by the pay cap in the Sedgefield constituency.

Mr Wilson said: “Despite the pressures they are facing, nurses are the backbone of our NHS.

“The pay cap can’t continue.

“The Chancellor’s autumn budget is an unmissable opportunity to scrap the public sector pay cap.”