Resident doctors have given Wes Streeting a new ‘window for negotiations’ but say he must use it ‘wisely’ to avoid more strikes.
British Medical Association representatives met with the health secretary on Tuesday, less than a week after ending a five-day walkout in a row over pay.
The union is demanding a 29 per cent pay rise despite receiving above-inflation pay uplifts totalling 28.9 per cent over the past three years.
Mr Streeting has insisted there is no more money available and says he will not be ‘held to ransom’ by the BMA.
He has offered to improve resident doctors’ working lives, including in areas such as training and exam fees, although was not enough to avert recent industrial action.
