The shadow health secretary has accused the government of allowing NHS strikes to go ahead by refusing to engage with unions who have expressed a willingness for dialogue. 'The Royal College of Nursing and Unison have said they will call off strikes this week if they are willing to negotiate with them seriously on pay,' he said. 'This is a reasonable offer on compromise, which is surely too good to refuse, so what on earth are they playing at?' Speaking to MPs during an urgent question, Streeting said it was not 'too late to prevent these strikes from going ahead'.

Will Quince defended the Tories' position arguing that the government had accepted all recommendations from the independent pay review body. 'It is important that both sides respect that independent body,' the health minister said.