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Struggling nurses are being forced to take out payday loans to make ends meet, with around 17 a day applying for them, data shows.

Hardship grant handouts of up to £500 from the Royal College of Nursing have also shot up by a quarter in a year.

As fears of a nurses’ strike grow, figures obtained by the Sunday Mirror revealed 3,000 applied for high-interest pay- day loans in six months alone.

It came as research showed wages are lagging 14 per cent due to the Government’s 2011 pay freeze.

(Image: Getty Images)

They have been held below inflation, with a one per cent rise offered this year.

RCN chief Janet Davies said: “Nurses are rightly held in high regard but kind words don’t pay the bills. The Government is refusing to keep nursing wages in line with inflation. Too many are struggling and turning to hardship grants and even foodbanks.”

Statistics show the average registered nurse’s salary is £23,319. Had it kept up with inflation it should be £26,584 – £3,265 more.

The RCN is polling its members about a walkout. Mrs Davies said: “If they want a formal ballot on a strike, it will be carried out without delay.

“Nurses should not have to fund the NHS deficit from their pay packets.” RCN figures show there are 24,000 unfilled nursing places in the UK. One A&E nurse backed strikes to protect patients.

She said: “We’re being pushed to the limit. I have to keep telling myself I am just one human being and I can only do one thing at a time.”

It follows a rally in London last month against NHS cuts.

An NHS Pay Review Body report warned higher-than-forecast inflation this year would cause “bigger cuts in real pay for staff than anticipated”.