UK Health Secretary Steve Barclay, told union leaders in a meeting Monday that he was open to backdating the next wage hike.

According to individuals informed on the negotiations, UK Health Secretary Steve Barclay, told union leaders in a meeting Monday aimed at preventing strikes damaging Britain's public sectors, that he was open to backdating the next wage hike for health employees.

Barclay stated that he will review the suggestion put up by union leaders with his government counterparts, including the Treasury. Wage settlements in the public sector are normally implemented in the autumn and are retroactive to April. According to the sources, unions are seeking for the 2023-24 cycle to be backdated to January, providing workers an extra three months of higher-paying salaries.

Max Blain, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, hailed Monday's sessions with unions as "productive," adding that the government will consider some of the issues expressed further. Following Monday's discussion, the health department stated that Barclay would welcome union involvement into the wage review process for 2023-24 and what is reasonable.

Sunak is under increasing pressure to halt a wave of strike action sweeping the United Kingdom, with ambulance workers scheduled to strike later this week.

The government's opposition to health-care workers' salary demands appears to have eased since last week, despite sights of deplorable working conditions and widespread popular sympathy for striking nurses. Sunak is under pressure from members of his own administration to address the situation and make a more substantial wage offer.

According to the Financial Times, a one-time payment to health professionals is also being considered, but one individual informed on Monday's discussion claimed Barclay appeared to dismiss the concept. While Barclay appeared to strike a more sympathetic tone during the meeting, union leaders were left frustrated by the absence of a meaningful offer, and are fearful that Sunak and Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, who are concerned about the impact on inflation, may hold back a pay settlement.

"There was some conversation on salary - but no specific offer that may aid settle this conflict and make meaningful progress on the recruitment and retention issue," said Rachel Harrison, national secretary of the GMB union, who represents ambulance workers.

(Bloomberg.com, bbcnews.co.uk)