NHS faces 'huge problem' over pension tax fears

THE NHS could face a “huge problem” if senior medics choose not to pick up the slack during a strike by resident doctors due to pension tax fears, a shadow health minister has warned.

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Dr Luke Evans told the Commons on Thursday that administrative delays relating to NHS pensions has meant senior doctors are “stepping back from extra work for fear of unexpected tax liabilities”.

He suggested this could compound staffing issues during the planned resident doctors strike, due to start on July 25.

However, health minister Karin Smyth told MPs the administrative delays will have “no direct impact on frontline care”.

She added: “With regard to the strikes, obviously we will continue to be open to discussing the avoidance of those strikes.”