GIVE NURSES A DEAL AND STOP THIS MADNESS

Public sympathy for nurses remains high as some Tories call for government action | ‘Nurses are a different case, only ministers can sort it out’

- Sam Lister

THE public overwhelmingly  backs tens of thousands of nurses who are striking today for the first time in their history.

Polling reveals 52 per cent of voters strongly support health workers in their demands with just 27 per cent opposed.

Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Steve Barclay have taken a firm stance against getting involved in pay negotiations but some Conservative MPs believe the Government must be more active in finding a resolution.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is demanding a rise of five per cent above retail price inflation, which currently stands at 14 per cent, meaning a hike of 19 per cent.

The Prime Minister said the rise is “obviously unaffordable”.

But since talks collapsed on Monday night, Mr Barclay has had no contact with the RCN and called for them to end the dispute.

He said: “I hope they can see sense and protect patients from further disruption.”

The Government’s argument is a big pay rise for nurses would mean “taking money away from frontline services”. Mr Barclay added: “These are challenging times.

Difficult