Nursing strikes will go ahead on Thursday after union leaders said Health Secretary Steve Barclay refused to negotiate on pay during talks.
In a statement following the meeting, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) general secretary Pat Cullen said: “The government was true to its word – they would not talk to me about pay.
“I needed to come out of this meeting with something serious to show nurses why they should not strike this week. Regrettably, they are not getting an extra penny.”
Earlier, No 10 had indicated Mr Barclay would not be willing to negotiate a new pay offer for nurses, but it was thought other aspects of the nurses’ employment could be up for discussion.
