Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said pay demands from unions representing nurses are “not affordable,” as the threat of strike action that will hit operations and appointments looms.
Mr Sunak said he shared the public’s “respect and gratitude” for nurses, and that he was pleased the Health Secretary was meeting unions to resolve the issue.
Steve Barclay earlier said discussions with Royal College of Nursing (RCN) general secretary Pat Cullen, the union leader behind the industrial action, were “constructive” and his focus was on patient safety and minimising disruption.
But he was understood to be resistant to negotiating on pay, with the union demanding an increase of at least 15% compared with the £1,400 rise awarded earlier this year.
Speaking at the British-Irish Council summit in Blackpool, Mr Sunak told broadcasters: “I absolutely share everyone’s respect and gratitude for our nurses, for the dedication and the hard work that they provide for all of us.
TalkTV's Ian Collins challenged Unison National Secretary Clare Williams over whether NHS staff are using foodbanks.
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