The deal affects up to one million NHS staff

Unions are hailing the move as a "radical breakthrough" for more than a million health workers in Britain.

The lowest pay band will also be scrapped as part of the accord reached on Wednesday.

Health minister John Hutton said he was delighted that an agreement on the issue had been finalised.

Ballot ahead

Paul Marks, Unison lead negotiator on the NHS's Agenda for Change proposals, said scrapping unsocial hours payments would have "failed miserably" to reward staff working weekends and bank holidays.

"It was simply unacceptable that those on the lowest pay would lose out the most," he said.

The new deal would "go some way to putting more money into the pockets of our lowest paid members", he said.

A Unison spokesman told BBC News Online the deal would be put to union members in a ballot after October's conference.

The agreement brings the minimum wage for NHS staff to �11,135.

There is an army of cleaners, caterers, porters and other staff who deliver for the public and patients day and night Peter Allenson TGWU

Peter Allenson, national officer for the Transport and General Workers' Union, also welcomed the breakthrough.

"This latest set of negotiations has recognised that working alongside health service professionals, there is an army of cleaners, caterers, porters and other staff who deliver for the public and patients day and night."

Mr Hutton said Agenda for Change provided a major opportunity for NHS staff to be paid for what they do, rather than what their job title is.

"I am delighted we have concluded these negotiations and I am particularly pleased we have found a way to increase the pay of the lowest paid NHS staff."