NHS workers have been left disappointed at Labour as annual pay rises due today are delayed again, leaving colleagues from overseas facing deportation for earning less than the national minimum wage, health unions have warned.

Unison and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) criticised the government’s decision to stick with the “painfully slow” NHS pay review body process, as it means yet another lengthy delay before health workers in England get their wage rise.

Unison head of health Helga Pile said: “NHS staff have had their hopes of a prompt pay rise dashed once again.