The public overwhelmingly supports health workers in their campaign for an above-inflation pay rise, according to a poll published yesterday.

In a survey of more than 1,000 voters across the country almost two-thirds thought that a continued below-inflation 1 per cent pay cap was unfair.

Three out of five of those questioned for the Unite trade union said they believed industrial action being taken by NHS workers yesterday was justified.

The poll showed a cross-party consensus among voters supporting both an above 1 per cent pay rise and support for industrial action, said Unite.

“These results are a clear sign of the scale of public support for health workers as they fight for a decent, living wage and it illustrates just how out of touch David Cameron

is when it comes to the NHS and caring for its staff,” said Unite general secretary Len McCluskey.