A weekly wage increase of £8.59 will be recommended to employers under the new National Agreement, taking the current weekly minimum wage for Grade B staff up 3.3% to £268.93.

SPEF director Simon Fairclough said: “With margins under pressure, it’s no surprise some seek to disengage from a nationally agreed framework. The national agreement, however, delivers a measure of stability.”

Steve Sibbald, national officer for Unite, said: “Nego­tia­tions were hard this year… [but] I think the proposed settlement is the best that can be achieved by both parties.”