HEALTH workers in the Borders are set for a day of demonstrations this week as Westminster civil servants arrived in the region.

The UK government's Pay Review Body has selected NHS Borders for gathering evidence in Scotland.

The independent body makes recommendations to senior politicians in both Westminster and Holyrood regarding remuneration of all NHS staff.

On Thursday they will be met by dozens of doctors, nurses and other NHS staff who are protesting about previous below-inflation pay rises as well as a one-per-cent cap on future wage increases.

The Scrap the Cap demonstration will take place at Borders General Hospital from 9.30am.

Shirley Burrell, who is UNISON's branch secretary in the Scottish Borders, told us: “We cannot have another year where the UK Government’s infatuation with austerity leads to another real terms cut in the pay of NHS workers.

"In recent months we’ve seen examples time and time again where politicians praise the work of our loyal and dedicated membership and yet they refuse to deliver a fair deal on pay.”

Public sector union UNISON, who are organising the protest, have been critical of both the UK government and the Independent Pay Review Body after a series of below inflation rises were awarded.

But they have welcomed the Scottish government’s recognition that the pay cap is hurting NHS workers.

And they are calling for it to back up its concerns by scrapping the cap imposed by the UK government.

Ms Burrell added: "UNISON members welcome this recognition that the pay cap cannot continue.

"It is now time for that recognition to be turned into positive action.

"We welcome the offer from the Scottish Government to enter into separate pay bargaining in Scotland - it’s time for the Pay Review Body to be consigned to the bin as we campaign to scrap the cap."

UNISON has produced figures which show that NHS workers are between £1800 and £5200 worse off, depending on band, than they were in 2010.

Janet Stewart, UNISON's regional organiser for Scottish Borders, told us: “Already across Scotland we’ve seen UNISON activists and members be seen and heard as we demand that the Government scrap the cap.

"This Thursday the Pay Review Body will be met by UNISON activists and members from across the country who will let their feelings be known on pay.”