Rishi Sunak has scrapped his pledge to charge people for missing GP appointments.
During the summer Conservative leadership contest, Mr Sunak pledged to introduce a £10 fine.
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The prime minister wants to deliver a stronger NHS and the “sentiment remains people should not be missing appointments”, according to his spokesperson.
But they added: “We have listened to GPs and NHS leaders and agreed now is not the time to take this policy forward.”
Mr Sunak visited Croydon University Hospital in south London on Friday, where he was asked about nurses’ pay.
NHS staff including nurses and porters are currently voting on strike action over pay.
Research commissioned by the Royal College of Nursing suggested that they are working an extra day a week for no more pay.
The data also suggests their wages have fallen 20% in real terms, based on a five-day week.
