NHS strikes to go ahead as unions blame minister for failure of talks

Strikes by paramedics and nurses will go ahead from this week despite Rishi Sunak's U-turn on allowing new pay negotiations, with unions frustrated at ministers for not yet making a concrete offer.

- Jessica Elgot, Denis Campbell, Gwyn Topham

The health secretary, Steve Barclay, has agreed to discuss the possibility of a lump sum payment or backdating a future pay deal to end NHS strikes, according to multiple sources. Further talks are expected later this week, the Guardian understands, as well as negotiations between Barclay and the Treasury.

Though health unions publicly attacked the talks as disappointing, both union and government sources acknowledged a significant change in approach, with ministers prepared to ease the pain staff were experiencing because of the cost of living. Ministers met health, rail and education unions over the course yesterday in an effort to avert a range of industrial action in the coming months.

Another key U-turn is widely expected to be part of a renewed effort to end rail strikes. One senior industry source said they believed ministers were open to dropping the controversial driver-only operation clause inserted in a deal before Christmas - which the unions have said was at the behest of the government. The government will meet the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) and Network Rail this week.

Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, indicated he would have further talks with RDG negotiators representing train operators this week, fuelling hope that a resolution could be reached. Lynch and the RMT have regularly maintained that they need binding written commitments, and are likely to want to see a redrafted formal offer that would not cross their red line on the role of guards and train crew.

The national executive of the train drivers' union Aslef is due to meet next Monday to formally consider an offer of 8% over two years, made on Friday, that would include Sunday working - a deal likely to be rejected.

Unions including the Royal College of Nursing, Unison and Unite met Barclay yesterday morning, though there was widespread disappointment that the health secretary did not have a concrete offer to put forward.