Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on forthcoming industrial action in the NHS; and what steps the Government is taking to help resolve this dispute.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues relating to health and social care.

We have accepted the recommendations of the independent NHS Pay Review Body in full. More than one million National Health Service staff, including the majority of nurses, paramedics and midwives, will benefit from a pay increase of at least £1,400, pro-rata for those working part time. We have committed to provide NHS staff a pay increase next year and we have asked the independent Pay Review Bodies for a recommendation for those staff in scope.