A "kick in the teeth" is how the head of doctors' union the BMA is describing a proposed 1% pay rise for NHS staff in England. "The public will be horrified. Staff will think it's some kind of joke," says another union, Unison. "Nobody would think that is fair in the middle of a pandemic," suggests the head of the Royal College of Nursing. Now Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is calling on the government to give the NHS's "Covid heroes" a bigger pay rise.
In recommending the figure to the independent panel that advises on NHS salaries, the Department of Health suggested anything more would require cuts to services. And Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng argues that while the NHS had been "first class", many people in the private sector face losing jobs. However, Sir Keir says it amounts to a cut once inflation is taken into account, tweeting: "You can't rebuild a country by cutting nurses' pay."

Anyone who has "ever had an emergency asthma admission" to hospital is eligible for the coronavirus vaccine, according to NHS England. But some are being refused jabs unless they have been admitted in the last 12 months. Sonja Chenier, 47, was told her three hospital admissions in 15 years weren't "relevant" and that she should expect a call in June. "I'm due to go back to work in schools next week and I'm absolutely scared witless," she says. The Royal College of GPs says factors including age, ethnicity and "some degree of clinical judgement" are being taken into account within the current priority group of about seven million patients.

Storm damage, coastal erosion, flooding and landslides never sound good - particularly when mentioned in relation to landmarks such as the Giant's Causeway. And the National Trust is describing a map illustrating the threats posed by climate change to its stately homes and landmarks as a "game-changer". The charity says the number of sites facing a high level of threat could rise from 5% to 17% by 2060. But the map also predicts the wider threat to communities if there is no intervention. An overheating and humidity filter shows high-risk areas extending across south-east England, through the Midlands and into Yorkshire, while flooding and landslides threaten northern England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

An "insult to NHS heroes" is how the Daily Mirror describes the 1% pay rise for nurses recommended by the Department of Health. The Guardian says the recommendation puts pressure on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to provide more money, at a time when he's already being criticised for limiting the extension of a £20 uplift in Universal Credit to six months. However, the Times reports an opinion poll suggesting a "bounce" in favour of the Conservative government, "despite announcing the biggest tax rises in 30 years". Read the review.

Who's making the biggest impact at your football team - the star striker, the midfield general or, erm, the data analyst? As we discover, asking that question today isn't as daft as it might have sounded a decade or two ago. Perhaps you need to see a video of the woman with the world's largest (certified) Afro. Or, as it's Friday, why not take our quiz of the week's news?

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