UNIONS have accepted the first Wales-only NHS pay deal today.

The deal includes a 1% pay rise from next year, an increase to the living wage for directly-employed staff and a lump sum payment of £187 to some staff.

The two-year agreement covers 80,000 workers, excluding doctors and dentists.

Health minister Mark Drakeford said the deal shows: "Our ongoing commitment to staff working in the NHS in these challenging financial times. Our overriding priority has been – and continues to be – to maintain jobs at the frontline of NHS Wales against a backdrop of severe cuts to our budget.

“This is an excellent example of working collaboratively and co-production and I am pleased that in Wales we have been able to avoid significant strike action by agreeing a mutual position – this is a credit to all parties.”