Staff at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have voted to take strike action over pay, their union has announced.

Unison said more than 700 workers had been balloted including those in the organisation's health and social care teams and call centres, clerical staff and data analysts.

Of those who took part in the vote, 73% opted to strike and 92% for action short of a strike, meaning they would only work to their contracts and refuse to do overtime.

Unison is one of five unions asking their members to vote for industrial action over pay.

Last December CQC staff were given a pay increase of between 2.75% and 3.5% and a one-off payment of either £100 or £150, depending on their grade.

The union says low or no wage increases over many years, due to the Government's public sector pay restraint, have forced increasing numbers of staff to quit the health and social care regulator, leaving the CQC struggling to fill vacancies.

Unison national officer Matthew Egan said: ‘CQC staff have had to put up with their pay rising at a much lower rate than inflation for more than a decade.

‘Had wages kept pace with prices, employees at CQC would be earning around a quarter more than they are currently.’

A CQC spokesperson said: ‘We have received early indication from UNISON that members have voted in favour of strike action and are awaiting further details.

‘We are also aware that a small number of colleagues who are PCS members intend to join strike action planned for later this month.

‘We will remain in close contact with UNISON and other unions as this develops.’