NHS staff have to work harder to ‘justify’ more pay, Steve Barclay tells furious unions

Talks described ‘bitterly disappointing’ – but health secretary will consider one-off payment

Adam Forrest
Political Correspondent
Monday 09 January 2023 14:07 GMT
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Rishi Sunak refuses to rule out one-off payment to nurses

Planned strikes by NHS workers looked set to go ahead after trade union leaders branded talks with Steve Barclay over pay “bitterly disappointing” and an “insult”.

A walkout of ambulance workers will go ahead on Wednesday after the failed crisis talks, during which Mr Barclay told union leaders any pay increase would have to involve greater “productivity and efficiency” from staff.

The Royal College of Nursing said ministers “have a distance to travel to avert next week’s nurse strike”, while physiotherapists also said they would be announcing strike dates later this week after the talks broke down.

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