PUBLIC support is strongly behind calls for a pay increase for health staff and industrial action over NHS pay, research published yesterday showed.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM), whose members will strike on October 13 over pay, commissioned a poll of more than 2,000 people in the 40 most marginal Conservative/Labour parliamentary seats.

The poll found that over 80 per cent supported the 1 per cent pay increase recommended by the Pay Review Commission.

Sixty-six per cent backed the midwives’ strike action — their first ever.

And even Tory MPs support the increase — of 100 MPs polled, 71 per cent believed all NHS staff should receive a 1 per cent pay rise, including most Tory MPs.

The midwives will walk out with ambulance workers, nurses, paramedics, hospital porters and other health staff aspart of a united struggle for fair pay.

RCM chief executive Cathy Warwick said: “After their historic vote to take strike action, our midwives will be reassured by this further vote of confidence from the public. 

“They will also take to heart the fact that MPs support the recommended modest pay rise for NHS staff.

“That so many Conservative MPs are in favour of the pay award that has been rejected should sound alarm bells at the highest level. We really do want to get back to talking about this with the government.”

The government this week faces three days of nationwide strikes — health staff on October 13, council workers on October 14 and civil servants on October 15.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “We remain keen to meet with the unions to discuss how we can work together to make the NHS pay system fairer.”