Teachers and doctors in England are getting a 4% pay bump, which might sound like good news—but it’s causing tension. Other NHS staff, like nurses and midwives, are only getting a 3.6% raise, and health unions aren’t happy about the disparity. While some workers get a slightly better deal, the uneven increases are sparking frustration among those left with less.

Editor’s Note: Pay rises in the public sector are always a tricky balancing act, especially when some groups feel shortchanged. With inflation still biting, even small differences in raises can feel like a big deal—especially for frontline workers like nurses, who’ve been vocal about burnout and underpayment. This could fuel more disputes over fair wages and strain an already stretched NHS.