Former Conservative cabinet minister Robert Buckland has called on Rishi Sunak to “chart a middle course” with striking nurses after the first NHS-wide walkout took place on Thursday.
The former justice secretary told Sky News there is “a big gulf” between the NHS pay review body’s (PRB) July recommendation of around 4% pay increases for nurses – which the government has offered – and the 19% being called for by the Royal College of Nursing today.
Noting the recent soaring inflation rates, Mr Buckland argued that “a lot has happened” since the independent pay review body made its recommendation and that ministers should look for “a way through” the impasse to end the strikes which have seen the cancellation of thousands of appointments and operations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The PM is under growing pressure to negotiate with striking nurses after former Conservative Party chairman Jake Berry and former health minister Dr Dan Poulter also joined calls…
Connect with us on our socials: