Talks between the UK government and health unions have failed to break the deadlock ahead of a planned strike by paramedics and ambulance workers in England and Wales.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay met union representatives on Tuesday afternoon but their attempt to avert the strike planned for Wednesday appears to have ended in failure.
The unions had called on the government to come up with an improved pay offer for staff of the National Health Service (NHS), but Barclay refused to discuss pay and focused instead on ensuring medical emergencies are covered during the industrial action.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay arrives in Downing Street ahead of a Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street in London on Dec. 13, 2022. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
After the meeting, Barclay wrote on Twitter: “I hugely value the work of our NHS staff & it’s disappointing some union members are going ahead with further strike action—my door remains open to further talks. Unions have called for industrial action to cause maximum disruption & inevitably this will have an impact….