The Conservative party chairman, Nadhim Zahawi, has been accused of insulting NHS workers with a "ludicrous" suggestion that it is the wrong time to strike over low pay because it would help Vladimir Putin divide the west.
Zahawi told broadcasters that nurses should call off their strikes and abandon their pay demands because it risked playing into the hands of the Russian president, who he said wanted to fuel inflation in the west.
He called on unions representing nurses and other medical workers to enter into talks, though the Royal College of Nurses (RCN) pointed out that it was government ministers who were refusing to open any negotiations over the NHS pay deal. Union sources have indicated they, would be willing to look at a sub-inflation offer but the government is declining to discuss pay at all.
The RCN has planned two possible strike days, on 15 and 20 December, if the government refuses to revisit its 3% offer with inflation running at 11%. Unison, Unite and the GMB are also looking at industrial action, with ambulance workers in some trusts likely to strike before Christmas.
Denne historien er fra December 05, 2022-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra December 05, 2022-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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England suffer as Masood and Shafique turn up heat
For weeks Pakistan teased England with talk of green pitches and seamer-friendly conditions, and then in the final hours before the opening game they peeled off the covers, shaved off anything betraying any evidence of chlorophyll, gave the heavy roller a final, deathly spin and, once the coin had fallen in their favour, told the tourists to do their best.
Russian court jails US citizen, 72, accused of fighting for Ukraine's army
A 72-year-old American citizen has been sentenced to six years and 10 months in prison by a Russian court that convicted him of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine.
US election Will white women's shift to the left prove decisive?
White female voters have been the backbone of the Republican party for decades - but polls indicate their support may be faltering, thanks to younger white women who are moving steadily leftwards.
Pakistan outlaws Pashtun group as government seeks to stifle dissent
Pakistani authorities have unleashed a draconian crackdown on dissent, breaking up opposition protests with violence and mass arrests and banning a movement to promote the rights of the ethnic Pashtun community under terrorism laws.
Nobel prize awarded to two US researchers for discovery of microRNA
The Nobel prize in physiology or medicine 2024 has been awarded to two scientists for their work on tiny RNA molecules that help cells control which proteins they produce.
Coroner urges health secretary to fix lack of ME care provision
A coroner has urged the UK health secretary, Wes Streeting, to address the \"non-existent\" care available to people with severe ME or risk further deaths like that of Maeve Boothby O'Neill.
Concerns in Telegraph newsroom over bidder's hardline views on Israel
Concern is mounting across the Telegraph newsroom over the threat to editorial impartiality and influence, as the New York Sun owner, Dovid Efune, is poised to enter exclusive talks to buy the Daily and Sunday Telegraph.
Chagos deal: Lammy hails handover of islands as 'a victory for diplomacy'
David Lammy has hailed the decision to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as a deal to save a strategically important UK-US military base, after accusations from opposition MPs that an important asset was being given away.
Vardy challenges 'sheer magnitude' of Rooney's £1.8m legal bill for libel trial
Rebekah Vardy has challenged the \"sheer magnitude\" of Coleen Rooney's £1.8m legal costs from the \"Wagatha Christie\" libel trial, which include her lawyer's stay at the Nobu hotel and minibar bill, the high court has been told.
Gaza The oldest and youngest victims of Israeli attacks
Israel-Gaza war One yearon
