Wes Streeting has just emerged from his first set of talks with junior doctors over their pay, saying he is ‘optimistic’ that the government can bring the dispute to an end. The Health Secretary reiterated that ‘this government has inherited the worst set of economic circumstances since the Second World War’ but that ‘both sides have shown willingness to negotiate and we are determined to do the hard work required to find a way through’. They are meeting again next week.
Taking the side of the doctors against NHS management is Streeting’s way of getting them on side
The line about the economic backdrop is Streeting’s way of reminding doctors that their 35 pay rise demand is not something the Labour government is going to agree to, but he could well offer a promise of pay restoration to 2008 levels ‘when circumstances allow’.
Streeting also laid heavy emphasis on working conditions, saying:
‘I am angry about the way the junior doctors are treated in the NHS, and there is a lot we can do to change that.’
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