Teachers and doctors in England given 4% pay rise

Doctors and teachers in England have been handed a 4% pay rise after the government accepted salary recommendations from pay review bodies.

Education unions have broadly welcomed the decision, while warning of cuts to school budgets without extra funding to cover costs.

But health unions have reacted angrily after a smaller rise of 3.6% was announced for other NHS staff, including nurses and midwives.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said an average 5.4% rise for resident doctors, formerly called junior doctors, was "woefully inadequate" and said it would ballot them next week over possible strike action.