Nurses are heading for a clash with the government over a 15 per cent pay demand.

Nursing unions are seeking the double-digit cash increase to give the profession starting pay parity with teachers and police officers.

The move comes as other public sector professionals seek inflation busting pay boosts - including a 40 per cent demand from fire-fighters and 10 per cent from teachers - from the government's multi-billion injection into public services.

Forum Response: Unison

Pete Lowe, head of nursing for Unison, told ePolitix.com: "Nurses, midwives and health visitors are the life blood of the NHS and we cannot risk losing more of these essential workers because of low pay. This year's evidence to the Pay Review Body highlights the need to bridge the gap between nursing staff and other key workers such as teachers and police who typically earn 10 per cent to 14 per cent more.

"It is a growing cause for concern that one third of students completing their nurse training, fail to register. But when you consider the starting salary of just £16,000 a year, you can begin to understand why. We must act to ensure that nursing is seen as not only a worthwhile career but as a rewarding one too.

"As for health care assistants they need a real pay boost to recognise their developing skills and expertise on the wards. It is now routine for non-registered nurses to take blood, do ECG's, put patient's feeds up and be trained in resuscitation, and yet for that they are rewarded with a starting salary of £9,735 a year, no wonder so many are struggling to make ends meet.

"UNISON believes they should have the money to match their duties and that includes a re-grading to a C grade with a starting level of £13,040."