Next year's pay deals for NHS staff could be fast-tracked - but ministers are still refusing to hold wage talks with striking workers.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay is trying to shift focus onto 2023 pay awards for NHS workers, which will be determined in April. Staff usually get backdated wage boosts from August.
Mr Barclay is said to want next year's pay hikes to be expedited to see off a fresh wave of industrial action in the health service.