Jeremy Hunt blames Labour for the junior doctors' contract dispute

BMA negotiators have struck a deal with officials on a new contract for junior doctors

Jeremy Hunt made a statement about a new contract in the House of Commons

Jeremy Hunt has blamed Labour for the junior doctors’ dispute, arguing that the new contract at its core was attempting to fix problems created by Tony Blair’s government.

The Health Secretary told shadow health secretary Heidi Alexander that a new contract negotiated by the Labour government in 1999 had stored up problems in the NHS that needed to be rectified.

The claim comes a day after the Government reached an agreement with British Medical Association negotiators in the long-running industrial dispute about new terms.

Mr Hunt had previously said he would unilaterally impose the new contract without agreement but later backed down and suspended the threat, returning to the negotiating table. The contract will now be put to junior doctors in a referendum.

The Health Secreary told Ms Alexander in a House of Commons debate on the contract that the previous contract agreed by Labour was “not fit for purpose”.

“She spent a lot of time in the last ten months criticising the way the Government has sought to change this contract – but what she didn’t dwell on is why it needed to be changed in the first place. Namely, the flawed contract that was put in place in 1999,” he said.

“We had many disagreements with the BMA but one thing we agreed on was that Labour’s contract was not fit for purpose. Frankly, criticising the Government for trying to put that contract right was like criticising a mechanic for mending the car you just crashed.

Heidi Alexander suggested Mr Hunt took a period of 'radio silence' on the issue (House of Commons)

“It’s time she acknowledged that those contract changes 17 years ago have led to a number of the five day care problems we are trying to sort out.”

Ms Alexander said Mr Hunt should stop making public interventions to allow junior doctors to make up their minds about the contract.

“I am pleased and relieved that an agreement has been reached but I am sad that it took an all-out strike of junior doctors to get the Government back to the table,” she said.

“His loose words and implied criticism of junior doctors is partly the reason why this has ended up being such an almighty mess. Can I suggest a degree of humility on behalf of the secretary of state wouldn’t go amiss.

“Can I encourage a period of radio silence from him to allow junior doctors to consider the new contract with a clear mind and without his spin echoing in their ears.”

Mr Hunt dodged questions from Ms Alexander about whether he would impose a contract if it was rejected in a referendum by junior doctors, and whether the threat of a High Court injunction led to him going back to the negotiating table.

Dr Johann Malawana, BMA junior doctor committee chair, said in a statement after negotiations concluded that the new contract was a “good deal for doctors”.

“Following intense but constructive talks, we are pleased to have reached agreement,” he said.

“Junior doctors have always wanted to agree a safe and fair contract, one that recognises and values the contribution junior doctors make to the NHS, addresses the recruitment and retention crisis in parts of the NHS and provides the basis for delivering a world-class health service.

“I believe that what has been agreed today delivers on these principles, is a good deal for junior doctors and will ensure that they can continue to deliver high-quality care for patients.

“This represents the best and final way of resolving the dispute and this is what I will be saying to junior doctors in the weeks leading up to the referendum on the new contract.