The nursing union has welcomed a 2.5% pay rise for its members in the Manx NHS.

As the Manx Independent reported on Thursday, it was announced this week that some 1,200 health and social staff had been awarded the 2.5% increase for last year after going to arbitration.

Civil servants and government manual workers, between 4,500 and 5,000 in number, have been awarded 2.3% for the current year - again after no agreement could be reached and the matter was referred to arbitration. Tynwald members, too, get 2.3% more as their pay is linked to that of the civil service.

This will bump their basic salary up to £41,346. They get extra money on top as Ministers or members of departments.

The North West branch of the Royal College of Nursing joined forces with other trade unions to negotiate a 2.5% pay rise for nurses in the island. It says although the award still has to go before CoMin for approval, it would be highly unusual for Ministers to refuse to sign off an arbitrated agreements.

Senior regional officer Mary-Anne Parkinson said: ’We value our relationship with other staffside organisations and the DHSC and are pleased we have reached an agreement that recognises the hard work of our members whilst acknowledging the economic pressures on the island.

’The RCN is particularly pleased we have secured a significant pay rise at time where nursing pay in other areas has fallen 14% behind the cost of living since 2010.’