By politics.co.uk staff

NHS managers have received an average pay increase of seven per cent, a new report has found.

The Incomes Data Services report into boardroom pay found senior managers have an average salary of £147,500.

Chief executives earned seven times the salary of nurses, the report found.

Unions have questioned the above-inflation salary rises when ordinary workers face lower rises and tough years ahead.

Senior managers cite the complex nature of NHS trusts and argue that only a select few individuals have the necessary skills to successfully manage such immense systems.