In England and Wales, NHS staff were given a £1,400 rise six months ago. In Scotland, unions are considering an offer averaging 7.5%. But for health workers in Northern Ireland, it's a different story.
Unions are willing to negotiate but without a local health minister, that responsibility falls on Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.And therein lies the problem - not for the first time, health workers have become pawns in a political game around Stormont.
That's the bespoke part of the Brexit deal that established a trade border in the Irish Sea to avoid one between Northern Ireland and the Republic.But six months - and three British prime ministers - since the Stormont election, the UK government appears to have its head in the sand. The UK government still can't confirm when people living in Northern Ireland will receive the £600 energy allowance.There was disbelief last week when Mr Heaton-Harris said he was planning to invite parties to"tea and scones" to try to build bridges.
The foot-dragging at Westminster over the energy allowance and over the pay rise for health workers reeks of political brinkmanship.
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