WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones has entered the row with Government over public sector pay.

Mrs Jones says the Government should pay nurses and other public sector workers the full 2.5 per cent rather than stagger the award as they are planning to do.

She said: "Nurses are an integral part of our NHS and, along with other public sector workers, I believe merit the full pay increase recommended by their pay review bodies at the start of the financial year.

"The current plan to stagger the pay award means they will not get the recommended award which I think they are entitled to. I hope the Government will rethink its decision."

Union bosses have threatened national strike action over the Government plan announced last week.