A CALL to remove the NHS pay cap has received backing from a trio of south Cumbrian MPs.

A survey of over 2,000 people for 14 health unions found that 84% backed ending the policy of holding down pay.

The Government has decided to lift the 1% pay cap for police and prison officers but millions of other public sector employees are waiting to see if the restraint on their wages will be eased.

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: "NHS workers in Furness have suffered under seven years of punishing pay cuts because of the Tory pay cap.

"This has contributed to the recruitment and retention crisis here in Cumbria, and has had a damaging effect on the morale of our brilliant but overstretched nurses and doctors.

"I think the vast majority of people in Furness would back a fair pay rise for NHS workers and it is time for the government to scrap the cap and stop cutting nurses’ pay."

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim said: "We should always be grateful for the incredible work that staff in the NHS do for all of us.

"The recent announcement by the government that police and prison officers would be getting a pay rise was good news, but at the same time was another slap in the face for hard-working NHS staff who were left wondering what they’d done not to deserve one too.

"We need the government to stop treating our amazing NHS workers like dirt, and that starts by giving them a long overdue pay increase."

Copeland MP Trudy Harrison said: "Our public-sector workers are among the most extraordinarily talented and hardworking people in our society.

"The Government will continue to ensure that the overall package for public sector workers recognises the vital contribution they make."