LABOUR’S shadow health secretary will give Lincolnshire’s nurses “maximum support” when he addresses a rally in Lincoln tomorrow.

Jon Ashworth says he is furious about the “grotesque” way that the nurses are being treated.

Unite the union says the community nurses have lost more than £2,000 a year since they were transferred from the NHS to Lincolnshire County Council in 2017.

They are specialist health visitors who mainly work with babies and young families.

Unite says 58 of its members have been affected by the changes.

Talks with the council broke down on Thursday and Unite East Midlands regional secretary Paresh Patel responded that council bosses are “turning old-fashioned pig-headedness into an art form.”

Mr Ashworth will tell the rally: “An incoming Labour government will make the restoration of the health visitor service in England a top priority in terms of a major boost in recruitment numbers and the funding to match.

“We will stop the constant salami slicing of the service witnessed in recent years which has led to the lowest number of health visitors in England since September 2009.

“We will put an end to the grotesque pay anomalies and erosion of professional standards, such as currently exists in Lincolnshire.

“We recognise the vital work that health visitors do for families and young children during those important early years — and that’s why I am here to give you maximum support.”

Lincoln’s Labour MP Karen Lee will also address the rally which starts in the Minster Yard at 11am before moving on to High Bridge.