Locked [Politics] Nurses' strike: Union accuses minister of belligerence after talks fail

[[Depo]]

Talks to avert strike action by nurses have failed, with the union accusing the health secretary of "belligerence".

The head of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), Pat Cullen, said strikes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland would now go ahead on Thursday, after Steve Barclay refused to discuss pay.

The government said it would continue to engage on non-pay related issues.

The union is calling for a pay rise of 19.2% but ministers say this is unaffordable.

The Department of Health said Mr Barclay had "again listened to the RCN's position on pay and reiterated the government has agreed to the recommendations of the independent pay review body".

A spokesperson said the health secretary had told Ms Cullen that any further pay increase would mean taking money away from frontline services and tackling the post-Covid backlog.

Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-63952291