 could walk out after a ballot over a below inflation pay deal. The results of the vote are expected within hours and the comments may further fuel the breakdown in relations between the government and nurses during a critical period. Ms Keegan, who previously served as a junior health minister, said 'of course' she clapped for NHS staff during the pandemic but said there 'isn't any point' in going on strike during a Sky News appearance. Asked if she was comfortable with nurses using food banks, she said: 'Quite often when you go to food banks, something will have happened, you know, something will have broken down – either a relationship or boiler or anything. 'Usually they're in an emergency situation.' Asked about the upcoming ballot announcement, she added: 'I don't think there's any point in going on strike. 'I would urge the nurses to continue those discussions, but the reality is if we gave massive above-inflation rises, not only would we have to raise a lot more money, but it would actually fuel inflation. 'This is the problem. We really have to tackle inflation.' The government has insisted plans are in place to deal with any industrial action, with delays to non-emergency procedures inevitable. Essential services would continue to operate but the disruption would add to the record-breaking treatment backlog still hanging over from the Covid-19 pandemic. Cabin){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
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A government minister has brushed off reports of nurses having to turn to food banks because of the cost of living crisis.
Education secretary Gillian Keegan said health workers who need emergency help usually do so because they have suffered a ‘broken…relationship or boiler’.
The comments come on the same day a trade union representing hundreds of thousands in the profession is expected to announce its first strike in 106 years.