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| Jeremy Hunt's statement to MPs on junior doctors' dispute - Politics live | Jeremy Hunt's statement to MPs on junior doctors' dispute - Politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.53pm GMT | |
| 15:53 | |
| Severin Carrell | |
| The Guardian’s Scotland editor Severin Carroll reported earlier this week that he understood the junior contract would not be imposed north of the border. Wales has also said it will not impose the contract. | |
| We’ve just had that confirmed from Scottish health secretary Shona Robison, and this effectively breaks a long standing convention that NHS doctors contracts are agreed and implemented at UK level. | |
| It is extremely disappointing that the UK Government has announced the imposition of a contract that the BMA clearly feels is not right for junior doctors. | |
| I want to reassure junior doctors working in the NHS in Scotland that this Government will not impose any new contract on our workforce. | |
| We take a very different approach to our relations with NHS staff and are determined to continue our longstanding positive relationship - working with staff to improve and shape services for the future. | |
| Junior doctors are an extremely valued part of Scotland’s NHS and that is why we will continue to service the existing contract for junior doctors until such time that we feel it is right to move towards negotiations. | |
| BMA Scotland continue to be an important partner of ours and if we did decide to move towards a new contract, it would only ever be on the basis of an agreed and negotiated settlement. | |
| We believe that working with our junior doctors and other NHS staff is ultimately in the best interests of patients. | |
| Dr Chris Sheridan, chair of the BMA’s Scottish junior doctor committee, called the outcome in England “hugely disappointing” but welcomed the clarification by the Scottish health secretary which he called “reassuring to my colleagues here in Scotland.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.04pm GMT | |
| 3.50pm GMT | |
| 15:50 | |
| Perhaps the most surprising political news of the day comes from the Green party, who announce the brother of US presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has been appointed as their new health spokesperson. | |
| Sanders has often been compared to Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn, an old-school socialist who caught the imagination of young, left-wing voters. | |
| But Larry Sanders said his brother is actually closest to the Green party in terms of his beliefs. | |
| Larry Sanders, who stood for the Greens in the May 2015 General Election, said he will campaign for further investment in the NHS as part of his new role. | |
| “2016 should be another good year for the Green Party, but we’re not in the public’s eye as much as we should be,” he said. “We’re the only party that is consistently speaking out against NHS privatisation and we know that the public will support us on this issue.” | |
| 3.38pm GMT | 3.38pm GMT |
| 15:38 | 15:38 |
| I’ve been speaking to Dr Dagan Lonsdale, the junior doctor who confronted Jeremy Hunt at the Millbank studios. | I’ve been speaking to Dr Dagan Lonsdale, the junior doctor who confronted Jeremy Hunt at the Millbank studios. |
| The pair have clashed before, during an interview for BBC Radio 4’s Today programme last year. Lonsdale, who said he believes that was the last time the health secretary had taken part in a live exchange with a junior doctor, took exception then to Hunt’s suggestion that doctors did not understand what was being offered to them, saying it’s “a bad idea to tell doctors they are being misled by their union because they’re well and able to make an assessment themselves.” | The pair have clashed before, during an interview for BBC Radio 4’s Today programme last year. Lonsdale, who said he believes that was the last time the health secretary had taken part in a live exchange with a junior doctor, took exception then to Hunt’s suggestion that doctors did not understand what was being offered to them, saying it’s “a bad idea to tell doctors they are being misled by their union because they’re well and able to make an assessment themselves.” |
| Lonsdale, who had been interviewed in the TV studios himself before Hunt arrived, said the health secretary had promised to meet him again. | Lonsdale, who had been interviewed in the TV studios himself before Hunt arrived, said the health secretary had promised to meet him again. |
| I’m sure he doesn’t mean it, but I’ll be trying to take up up on it. He did say we can ‘meet later’. He doesn’t want to sit down with an intelligent, informed professional who knows the facts. | I’m sure he doesn’t mean it, but I’ll be trying to take up up on it. He did say we can ‘meet later’. He doesn’t want to sit down with an intelligent, informed professional who knows the facts. |
| Mr Hunt has always said his door is open for us to talk, but today he slammed it shut in my face. | |
| Hi @Jeremy_Hunt, today you said you didn't have time to talk to me but you would in future. Please name the time and place and I'll be there | |
| The specialist registrar said he had particularly been angered by Hunt’s statement on weekend death rates. | The specialist registrar said he had particularly been angered by Hunt’s statement on weekend death rates. |
| “He mentioned eight separate studies, but they are all based on the same data set, and two of them were by the same person. It is completely untrue that they are separate and independent studies,” he said. | “He mentioned eight separate studies, but they are all based on the same data set, and two of them were by the same person. It is completely untrue that they are separate and independent studies,” he said. |
| Lonsdale said he and his wife will now have to sit down and work out if they can continue in their professions. | Lonsdale said he and his wife will now have to sit down and work out if they can continue in their professions. |
| We have to contemplate if we can work in a system that stretches doctors in such a way that patients are put at risk and where were will be unable to give the right amount of time to family life for our son. I think if even 1% of the NHS workforce leaves because of this contract, the NHS will be in dire straits. | We have to contemplate if we can work in a system that stretches doctors in such a way that patients are put at risk and where were will be unable to give the right amount of time to family life for our son. I think if even 1% of the NHS workforce leaves because of this contract, the NHS will be in dire straits. |
| There are already gaps in rotas. The only option if you want a fully seven-day NHS service without any more investment is to stretch services thinner or make doctors work more hours and we all know tired doctors make mistakes. | There are already gaps in rotas. The only option if you want a fully seven-day NHS service without any more investment is to stretch services thinner or make doctors work more hours and we all know tired doctors make mistakes. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.55pm GMT | |
| 3.14pm GMT | 3.14pm GMT |
| 15:14 | 15:14 |
| Labour MP Liz Kendall is on the BBC’s This Week after Question Time tonight. She’s taken affront to the suggestion by the BBC Twitter feed that she might have only received 4% of the vote in the Labour leadership election. | Labour MP Liz Kendall is on the BBC’s This Week after Question Time tonight. She’s taken affront to the suggestion by the BBC Twitter feed that she might have only received 4% of the vote in the Labour leadership election. |
| Four POINT FIVE https://t.co/j1iuVP6Bup | Four POINT FIVE https://t.co/j1iuVP6Bup |
| 3.11pm GMT | 3.11pm GMT |
| 15:11 | 15:11 |
| Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green party, called the imposition of the contract “a new low” in the treatment of public sector workers. | Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green party, called the imposition of the contract “a new low” in the treatment of public sector workers. |
| “It’s playing with fire. With a global shortage of health workers, the potential for medical staff to leave the English NHS - if only to go to Wales, Scotland and possibly much further afield - is clear,” she said. | “It’s playing with fire. With a global shortage of health workers, the potential for medical staff to leave the English NHS - if only to go to Wales, Scotland and possibly much further afield - is clear,” she said. |
| Speaking to junior doctors as I offered the Green Party’s support on picket lines, I found most know at least one colleague who’s already moved to Australia, Canada and other countries, and many are considering leaving themselves. | Speaking to junior doctors as I offered the Green Party’s support on picket lines, I found most know at least one colleague who’s already moved to Australia, Canada and other countries, and many are considering leaving themselves. |
| 3.08pm GMT | 3.08pm GMT |
| 15:08 | 15:08 |
| Some revelations after meticulous digging by Health Service Journal’s Shaun Lintern, who is contacting all 20 of the hospital chief executives listed as supporting the contract’s imposition in a letter by Sir David Dalton. Three have now said they do not support forcing the contract on doctors. | Some revelations after meticulous digging by Health Service Journal’s Shaun Lintern, who is contacting all 20 of the hospital chief executives listed as supporting the contract’s imposition in a letter by Sir David Dalton. Three have now said they do not support forcing the contract on doctors. |
| Claire Murdoch, head of central and north west London NHS foundation trust, also said she did not support imposition, though she thought the contract offer was fair and reasonable. | Claire Murdoch, head of central and north west London NHS foundation trust, also said she did not support imposition, though she thought the contract offer was fair and reasonable. |
| Statement from @ClaireCNWL to HSJ...pretty clear she should never have been on that list #juniorcontract pic.twitter.com/NXmK4AOXvt | Statement from @ClaireCNWL to HSJ...pretty clear she should never have been on that list #juniorcontract pic.twitter.com/NXmK4AOXvt |
| Andrew Foster, chief executive of Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS, said similar. | Andrew Foster, chief executive of Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS, said similar. |
| @cpeedell I have not supported contract imposition. I have supported the view that the offer made is reasonable. | @cpeedell I have not supported contract imposition. I have supported the view that the offer made is reasonable. |
| This was the tweet earlier from Professor Stephen Foster, claiming he too did not support imposition. | This was the tweet earlier from Professor Stephen Foster, claiming he too did not support imposition. |
| @HSJEditor not supporting imposition. Supporting fact that David came up with a better offer than the one on the table. | @HSJEditor not supporting imposition. Supporting fact that David came up with a better offer than the one on the table. |
| 2.48pm GMT | 2.48pm GMT |
| 14:48 | 14:48 |
| The bitterness of the dispute between Hunt and junior doctors is likely to have a marked effect on the government’s dealings with their superiors, as it prepares to negotiate a new consultant contract. | The bitterness of the dispute between Hunt and junior doctors is likely to have a marked effect on the government’s dealings with their superiors, as it prepares to negotiate a new consultant contract. |
| Professor John Schofield, president of the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association which is the union for senior doctors said it showed a lack of respects for the entire medical profession. | Professor John Schofield, president of the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association which is the union for senior doctors said it showed a lack of respects for the entire medical profession. |
| It will steel consultants and other senior specialist grades... in their dealings with government over the impending new consultant contract. | It will steel consultants and other senior specialist grades... in their dealings with government over the impending new consultant contract. |
| We fear that senior doctors, who are the government’s next target, will increasingly vote with their feet alongside their juniors rather than wait around to be used as target practice by politicians in whom they have now totally lost faith. | We fear that senior doctors, who are the government’s next target, will increasingly vote with their feet alongside their juniors rather than wait around to be used as target practice by politicians in whom they have now totally lost faith. |
| (NB: Hope this should answer this question from BTL) | (NB: Hope this should answer this question from BTL) |
| We do not here much from Senior doctors about any of this, any ideas why not. | We do not here much from Senior doctors about any of this, any ideas why not. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.52pm GMT | at 2.52pm GMT |
| 2.37pm GMT | 2.37pm GMT |
| 14:37 | 14:37 |
| Corbyn: 'What is keeping this dispute going is the Secretary of State' | Corbyn: 'What is keeping this dispute going is the Secretary of State' |
| Jeremy Corbyn has called Hunt’s decision to impose a contract on junior doctors “provocative and damaging” and said he expected to see further strike action. | Jeremy Corbyn has called Hunt’s decision to impose a contract on junior doctors “provocative and damaging” and said he expected to see further strike action. |
| He refuted Hunt’s repeated view that the BMA had been unwilling to negotiate and said the imposition showed the health secretary had “a lack of confidence in his own arguments.” | He refuted Hunt’s repeated view that the BMA had been unwilling to negotiate and said the imposition showed the health secretary had “a lack of confidence in his own arguments.” |
| What is now keeping this dispute going are the actions of the Secretary of State himself. | What is now keeping this dispute going are the actions of the Secretary of State himself. |
| More strikes now look likely. If that happens, it will be clear that the blame lies with the government, not the doctors. Even at this late stage, I appeal to Jeremy Hunt to go back and negotiate with the BMA. | More strikes now look likely. If that happens, it will be clear that the blame lies with the government, not the doctors. Even at this late stage, I appeal to Jeremy Hunt to go back and negotiate with the BMA. |
| This government is reckless with our NHS and is now prepared to put patient care at risk in the service of its self-defeating austerity programme. | This government is reckless with our NHS and is now prepared to put patient care at risk in the service of its self-defeating austerity programme. |
| 2.30pm GMT | 2.30pm GMT |
| 14:30 | 14:30 |
| While I’ve been focussed on junior doctor contract, my colleague Rowena Mason has been following the row over party funding we touched on earlier. | While I’ve been focussed on junior doctor contract, my colleague Rowena Mason has been following the row over party funding we touched on earlier. |
| Ministers have hinted they could be prepared to back down on plans to slash opposition party funding, known as Short money, amid signs some Conservatives could revolt over the cuts. | Ministers have hinted they could be prepared to back down on plans to slash opposition party funding, known as Short money, amid signs some Conservatives could revolt over the cuts. |
| Here’s her report: | Here’s her report: |
| John Penrose, a Cabinet Office minister, said a new consultation about the move would start shortly, after Labour called an urgent question in the House of Commons to condemn the government’s “shabby” handling of the plans. | John Penrose, a Cabinet Office minister, said a new consultation about the move would start shortly, after Labour called an urgent question in the House of Commons to condemn the government’s “shabby” handling of the plans. |
| Some Tories feared the cuts of 19% to state funding for opposition parties would set a bad precedent and contravene the principle that such moves are done on a cross-party basis. | Some Tories feared the cuts of 19% to state funding for opposition parties would set a bad precedent and contravene the principle that such moves are done on a cross-party basis. |
| The move comes on top of the government’s trade union bill that is expected to cut Labour’s funding from the unions by as much as £8m, as members will be forced to opt into subscriptions rather than being automatically affiliated with the choice of opting out. | The move comes on top of the government’s trade union bill that is expected to cut Labour’s funding from the unions by as much as £8m, as members will be forced to opt into subscriptions rather than being automatically affiliated with the choice of opting out. |
| This is the story in full: | This is the story in full: |
| Related: Ministers hint at compromise on opposition party funding | Related: Ministers hint at compromise on opposition party funding |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.50pm GMT | at 2.50pm GMT |
| 2.25pm GMT | 2.25pm GMT |
| 14:25 | 14:25 |
| The pop star James Blunt has this interesting offer to make, if the title is indeed his to bestow. | The pop star James Blunt has this interesting offer to make, if the title is indeed his to bestow. |
| I'm officially handing over my Cockney Rhyming title to @Jeremy_Hunt | I'm officially handing over my Cockney Rhyming title to @Jeremy_Hunt |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.25pm GMT | at 2.25pm GMT |
| 2.23pm GMT | 2.23pm GMT |
| 14:23 | 14:23 |
| This picture is captioned as “Jeremy Hunt with a man in medical scrubs”. | This picture is captioned as “Jeremy Hunt with a man in medical scrubs”. |
| That man is Dr Dagan Lonsdale, a specialist registrar in intensive care medicine, based at St George’s hospital in south London, and one of the most vocal critics of the junior contract. | That man is Dr Dagan Lonsdale, a specialist registrar in intensive care medicine, based at St George’s hospital in south London, and one of the most vocal critics of the junior contract. |
| He followed Hunt into the studio, to berate him about his decision. | He followed Hunt into the studio, to berate him about his decision. |
| You’ve got no evidence whatsoever Mr Hunt that these changes will have a positive effect. You are taking a massive gamble with people in the NHS. I don’t know why you won’t address that point. | You’ve got no evidence whatsoever Mr Hunt that these changes will have a positive effect. You are taking a massive gamble with people in the NHS. I don’t know why you won’t address that point. |
| Health secretary @Jeremy_Hunt was confronted by #JuniorDoctor @DaganLonsdale on his way to the Sky studio https://t.co/g84PkPNiEY | Health secretary @Jeremy_Hunt was confronted by #JuniorDoctor @DaganLonsdale on his way to the Sky studio https://t.co/g84PkPNiEY |
| 2.14pm GMT | 2.14pm GMT |
| 14:14 | 14:14 |
| Some breaking news now, the chancellor George Osborne’s psychiatrist brother Adam Osborne is struck off the medical register after a tribunal rules he had a relationship with a vulnerable patient. | Some breaking news now, the chancellor George Osborne’s psychiatrist brother Adam Osborne is struck off the medical register after a tribunal rules he had a relationship with a vulnerable patient. |
| My colleague Josh Halliday has been at the hearing. | My colleague Josh Halliday has been at the hearing. |
| Dr Adam Osborne "showed a blatant disregard for the fundamental tenets of the medical profession," medical tribunal rules | Dr Adam Osborne "showed a blatant disregard for the fundamental tenets of the medical profession," medical tribunal rules |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.14pm GMT | at 2.14pm GMT |
| 2.12pm GMT | 2.12pm GMT |
| 14:12 | 14:12 |
| Are you a junior doctor who opposes this decision? How does it make you feel? What would you say to the health secretary? | Are you a junior doctor who opposes this decision? How does it make you feel? What would you say to the health secretary? |
| We’re looking for your stories. Here’s where you can tell us about how it will affect you. | We’re looking for your stories. Here’s where you can tell us about how it will affect you. |
| Related: Junior doctors, what's your message for Jeremy Hunt? | Related: Junior doctors, what's your message for Jeremy Hunt? |
| 2.11pm GMT | 2.11pm GMT |
| 14:11 | 14:11 |
| Heidi Alexander, the shadow health secretary, has been speaking to Sky News. | Heidi Alexander, the shadow health secretary, has been speaking to Sky News. |
| She said Jeremy Hunt is presenting the junior contract as if it were the key to unlocking more consistent care over seven days. | She said Jeremy Hunt is presenting the junior contract as if it were the key to unlocking more consistent care over seven days. |
| “The truth is the need to change a huge number of things,” she said, pointing to consultant cover, and the number of nurses on wards relative to admissions. | “The truth is the need to change a huge number of things,” she said, pointing to consultant cover, and the number of nurses on wards relative to admissions. |
| Alexander also argued that patients are likely to be sicker if they access care at weekends, particularly those who cannot be admitted to hospices to receive palliative care. | Alexander also argued that patients are likely to be sicker if they access care at weekends, particularly those who cannot be admitted to hospices to receive palliative care. |
| It’s a really complicated issue and the health secretary is in real danger of over simplifying this and conflating the junior doctor contract with his manifesto commitment to a seven-day service. | It’s a really complicated issue and the health secretary is in real danger of over simplifying this and conflating the junior doctor contract with his manifesto commitment to a seven-day service. |
| She said she would be happy for any of her relatives to receive weekend care at any NHS hospitals. “It is something that as a country we should be proud of. My concerns is that as the years go by is that we could see that quality of care deteriorate,” she said. | She said she would be happy for any of her relatives to receive weekend care at any NHS hospitals. “It is something that as a country we should be proud of. My concerns is that as the years go by is that we could see that quality of care deteriorate,” she said. |
| 2.02pm GMT | 2.02pm GMT |
| 14:02 | 14:02 |
| The Guardian’s home affairs editor Alan Travis has now published his full report of the sharp criticism of the so-called ‘snoopers’ charter’ by a key committee of peers and MPs. | The Guardian’s home affairs editor Alan Travis has now published his full report of the sharp criticism of the so-called ‘snoopers’ charter’ by a key committee of peers and MPs. |
| The home secretary has yet to make a conclusive case for giving spying agencies new snooping powers to track the web browsing histories of all British citizens, a key committee of peers and MPs has concluded. | The home secretary has yet to make a conclusive case for giving spying agencies new snooping powers to track the web browsing histories of all British citizens, a key committee of peers and MPs has concluded. |
| The third critical report from a parliamentary committee in three weeks increases the pressure on Theresa May to rewrite substantial parts of her so-called snooper’s charter introduced after Edward Snowden’s disclosures of mass surveillance. | The third critical report from a parliamentary committee in three weeks increases the pressure on Theresa May to rewrite substantial parts of her so-called snooper’s charter introduced after Edward Snowden’s disclosures of mass surveillance. |
| The final report of the pre-legislative scrutiny committee on the investigatory powers bill makes 86 detailed recommendations to ensure the new legal framework covering intrusive spying powers is workable, can be understood by those affected and includes proper safeguards. | The final report of the pre-legislative scrutiny committee on the investigatory powers bill makes 86 detailed recommendations to ensure the new legal framework covering intrusive spying powers is workable, can be understood by those affected and includes proper safeguards. |
| The committee’s recommendations include: | The committee’s recommendations include: |
| • Strengthening of the judicial commissioners’ role; that they are appointed and dismissed by the lord chief justice, not the prime minister, initiate their own investigations, and refer directly to the investigatory powers tribunal. But the committee says the current proposed judicial role on “double lock” authorisation of intrusive surveillance warrants is sufficiently flexible. | • Strengthening of the judicial commissioners’ role; that they are appointed and dismissed by the lord chief justice, not the prime minister, initiate their own investigations, and refer directly to the investigatory powers tribunal. But the committee says the current proposed judicial role on “double lock” authorisation of intrusive surveillance warrants is sufficiently flexible. |
| • Stronger safeguards for the protection of legally and journalistically privileged material to be written on the face of the bill. | • Stronger safeguards for the protection of legally and journalistically privileged material to be written on the face of the bill. |
| • On encryption, it welcomes the home secretary’s reassurance that the bill will not create “back doors” to encrypted services such as WhatsApp but wants clarification written into the bill. It stops short of endorsing tech industry concerns about encryption. | • On encryption, it welcomes the home secretary’s reassurance that the bill will not create “back doors” to encrypted services such as WhatsApp but wants clarification written into the bill. It stops short of endorsing tech industry concerns about encryption. |
| • The publication alongside the bill of a full justification for so-called “bulk collection powers” – mass harvesting of personal communications data – which the home secretary has yet to provide. | • The publication alongside the bill of a full justification for so-called “bulk collection powers” – mass harvesting of personal communications data – which the home secretary has yet to provide. |
| • Parliamentary review of the operation of the powers under the bill, five years after it is brought into force. | • Parliamentary review of the operation of the powers under the bill, five years after it is brought into force. |
| Here’s the full report: | Here’s the full report: |
| Related: Minister has not fully made case for snooper's charter, says committee | Related: Minister has not fully made case for snooper's charter, says committee |
| 1.52pm GMT | 1.52pm GMT |
| 13:52 | 13:52 |
| I’m getting more reaction through from many different health bodies, which are highly critical of Hunt’s vow to impose the contract on doctors. | I’m getting more reaction through from many different health bodies, which are highly critical of Hunt’s vow to impose the contract on doctors. |
| Both junior doctors and midwives already provide seven day services, day and night, 365 days a year. | Both junior doctors and midwives already provide seven day services, day and night, 365 days a year. |
| Imposing a contract on junior doctors in this manner is likely to damage morale further and is an attack on all NHS staff. | Imposing a contract on junior doctors in this manner is likely to damage morale further and is an attack on all NHS staff. |
| We would ask whether the Government has carried out a structured and robust risk assessment, along with measures to evaluate the impact of their decision on patient safety. | We would ask whether the Government has carried out a structured and robust risk assessment, along with measures to evaluate the impact of their decision on patient safety. |
| The last few months have been incredibly tough for junior doctors, and have led to the lowest morale across our profession in a generation. | The last few months have been incredibly tough for junior doctors, and have led to the lowest morale across our profession in a generation. |
| Imposing a contract, in its current form, is asking junior doctors - the future of our NHS - to work under conditions in which they neither feel valued nor able to deliver safe patient care. | Imposing a contract, in its current form, is asking junior doctors - the future of our NHS - to work under conditions in which they neither feel valued nor able to deliver safe patient care. |
| The imposition of the contract will undoubtedly impair our efforts to recruit thousands of additional doctors into the NHS over the coming years in order to keep the health service sustainable - as many medical students are seeing this turmoil, not liking what they see, and turning away from medicine in the UK altogether. | The imposition of the contract will undoubtedly impair our efforts to recruit thousands of additional doctors into the NHS over the coming years in order to keep the health service sustainable - as many medical students are seeing this turmoil, not liking what they see, and turning away from medicine in the UK altogether. |
| The NHS needs certainty on this contract and a continuation of a dispute would be harmful to patients, and the NHS. | The NHS needs certainty on this contract and a continuation of a dispute would be harmful to patients, and the NHS. |
| Over the last four years significant progress has been made to address concerns around safe working. I believe the new offer is fair and safe for doctors, and patients. | Over the last four years significant progress has been made to address concerns around safe working. I believe the new offer is fair and safe for doctors, and patients. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.57pm GMT | at 1.57pm GMT |
| 1.51pm GMT | 1.51pm GMT |
| 13:51 | 13:51 |
| Around 500 people have said they will join an emergency protest tonight outside the Department of Health at 5pm, against the imposition of the contract. | Around 500 people have said they will join an emergency protest tonight outside the Department of Health at 5pm, against the imposition of the contract. |
| The government have decided to *try* to impose this contract on junior doctors. Let’s show them what they can do with it. #junioraction #juniorcontract | The government have decided to *try* to impose this contract on junior doctors. Let’s show them what they can do with it. #junioraction #juniorcontract |
| 1.48pm GMT | 1.48pm GMT |
| 13:48 | 13:48 |
| Much has been made over how junior doctors have been moving in droves to Australia and New Zealand over working conditions and morale in the NHS. But they may not need to go as far as that. | Much has been made over how junior doctors have been moving in droves to Australia and New Zealand over working conditions and morale in the NHS. But they may not need to go as far as that. |
| Any junior doctors in England should know they will not have the contract imposed if they cross the border, the Welsh health minister Mark Drakeford has said in a statement released just now. | Any junior doctors in England should know they will not have the contract imposed if they cross the border, the Welsh health minister Mark Drakeford has said in a statement released just now. |
| We have no plans to impose a new junior doctors’ contract. | We have no plans to impose a new junior doctors’ contract. |
| Wales has a strong tradition of working in partnership with our staff and their representatives. | Wales has a strong tradition of working in partnership with our staff and their representatives. |
| Wales will continue to offer attractive working arrangements and a positive training experience, based on the existing new deal arrangements. | Wales will continue to offer attractive working arrangements and a positive training experience, based on the existing new deal arrangements. |
| Junior doctors from any part of the UK interested in working in Wales will find fair working conditions and a very warm welcome here. | Junior doctors from any part of the UK interested in working in Wales will find fair working conditions and a very warm welcome here. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.49pm GMT | at 1.49pm GMT |
| 1.42pm GMT | 1.42pm GMT |
| 13:42 | 13:42 |
| My colleague Rajeev Syal has posted his first take on the tense exchanges between MPs and Google executives and HMRC earlier at the public accounts committee today, including the moment that Google’s Matt Brittin said he did not know his own salary. | My colleague Rajeev Syal has posted his first take on the tense exchanges between MPs and Google executives and HMRC earlier at the public accounts committee today, including the moment that Google’s Matt Brittin said he did not know his own salary. |
| In the early stages of a grilling over Google’s tax affairs, the internet company’s European boss was asked to tell MPs what he was paid – but said he could not disclose the figure because he didn’t know how much he earned. | In the early stages of a grilling over Google’s tax affairs, the internet company’s European boss was asked to tell MPs what he was paid – but said he could not disclose the figure because he didn’t know how much he earned. |
| Matt Brittin was appearing before the public accounts committee in the aftermath of a row about £130m in back taxes it agreed to pay in a deal that caused a public outcry, despite being described as a victory by George Osborne. At the beginning of the session, Brittin, the president of Google Europe, declined to respond to a request to say how much he was paid, saying: “I’ll happily disclose that if it’s a relative matter for the committee.” | Matt Brittin was appearing before the public accounts committee in the aftermath of a row about £130m in back taxes it agreed to pay in a deal that caused a public outcry, despite being described as a victory by George Osborne. At the beginning of the session, Brittin, the president of Google Europe, declined to respond to a request to say how much he was paid, saying: “I’ll happily disclose that if it’s a relative matter for the committee.” |
| The committee chair, Meg Hillier, demanded to know it, but Brittin said he did not have the figure. “You don’t know what you get paid, Mr Brittin?” she said to laughter in the room. | The committee chair, Meg Hillier, demanded to know it, but Brittin said he did not have the figure. “You don’t know what you get paid, Mr Brittin?” she said to laughter in the room. |
| She continued: “Out there, our constituents are very angry, they live in a different world clearly to the world you live in, if you can’t even tell us what you are paid. | She continued: “Out there, our constituents are very angry, they live in a different world clearly to the world you live in, if you can’t even tell us what you are paid. |
| “It seems a bit of a PR disaster if you didn’t have the nous to realise in the same week that taxpayers were filing their tax returns, and sweating over a little bit of bank interest and getting it in on time, and you announce this as a good deal. | “It seems a bit of a PR disaster if you didn’t have the nous to realise in the same week that taxpayers were filing their tax returns, and sweating over a little bit of bank interest and getting it in on time, and you announce this as a good deal. |
| Here’s the rest of the report: | Here’s the rest of the report: |
| Related: Google boss claims he does not know his salary in Commons grilling | Related: Google boss claims he does not know his salary in Commons grilling |
| 1.39pm GMT | 1.39pm GMT |
| 13:39 | 13:39 |
| Junior doctors have been tweeting me with their analysis of Hunt’s comments in the House of Commons earlier. | Junior doctors have been tweeting me with their analysis of Hunt’s comments in the House of Commons earlier. |
| @jessicaelgot we cannot seek to "boost basic pay" rotas are rotas can't choose to work out of hours or not #juniorcontract | @jessicaelgot we cannot seek to "boost basic pay" rotas are rotas can't choose to work out of hours or not #juniorcontract |
| @jessicaelgot People will remember this day at the ballot box #juniorcontract | @jessicaelgot People will remember this day at the ballot box #juniorcontract |
| @jessicaelgot govt has 1 major bargaining chip in #juniorcontract - they are monopoly providers of postgraduate medical training [1/2] | @jessicaelgot govt has 1 major bargaining chip in #juniorcontract - they are monopoly providers of postgraduate medical training [1/2] |
| @jessicaelgot most have worked incredibly hard for junior training posts – no way to progress in career unless we accept their contract[2/2] | @jessicaelgot most have worked incredibly hard for junior training posts – no way to progress in career unless we accept their contract[2/2] |
| @jessicaelgot thanks! I'm leaving for a research post in April and do not plan to return to NHS after. I'm about 1 year away from consultant | @jessicaelgot thanks! I'm leaving for a research post in April and do not plan to return to NHS after. I'm about 1 year away from consultant |
| . @jessicaelgot Heartbroken that Govt imposing contract.Juniors will vote with their feet: England's loss is Scotland,Wales&Australia's gain | . @jessicaelgot Heartbroken that Govt imposing contract.Juniors will vote with their feet: England's loss is Scotland,Wales&Australia's gain |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.45pm GMT | at 1.45pm GMT |
| 1.35pm GMT | 1.35pm GMT |
| 13:35 | 13:35 |
| Jeremy Hunt finds support from the Telegraph’s Asa Bennett, who has little sympathy for the BMA. Here’s an extract. | Jeremy Hunt finds support from the Telegraph’s Asa Bennett, who has little sympathy for the BMA. Here’s an extract. |
| This Saturday pay offer was far from unjust for junior doctors, who can already count themselves lucky for getting any premium for working that day. The same can’t be said for firefighters, police officers, air ambulance pilots, retail assistants or restaurant staff – all of whom work Saturdays on their standard rate of pay. Most care home nurses and managers work Saturdays at their normal rate too. As a union, the BMA is of course meant to have its members’ best interests at heart, but digging in over issues like this shows how out of touch it is, seemingly unaware of how others work in the public and private sector. | This Saturday pay offer was far from unjust for junior doctors, who can already count themselves lucky for getting any premium for working that day. The same can’t be said for firefighters, police officers, air ambulance pilots, retail assistants or restaurant staff – all of whom work Saturdays on their standard rate of pay. Most care home nurses and managers work Saturdays at their normal rate too. As a union, the BMA is of course meant to have its members’ best interests at heart, but digging in over issues like this shows how out of touch it is, seemingly unaware of how others work in the public and private sector. |
| 1.28pm GMT | 1.28pm GMT |
| 13:28 | 13:28 |
| BMA reaction: 'a flawed contract' | BMA reaction: 'a flawed contract' |
| The full text of the BMA’s press release can be found here. Another snippet: | The full text of the BMA’s press release can be found here. Another snippet: |
| Junior doctors already work around the clock, seven days a week and they do so under their existing contract. If the government want more seven-day services then, quite simply, it needs more doctors, nurses and diagnostic staff, and the extra investment needed to deliver it. Rather than addressing these issues, the health secretary is ploughing ahead with proposals that are fundamentally unfair. | Junior doctors already work around the clock, seven days a week and they do so under their existing contract. If the government want more seven-day services then, quite simply, it needs more doctors, nurses and diagnostic staff, and the extra investment needed to deliver it. Rather than addressing these issues, the health secretary is ploughing ahead with proposals that are fundamentally unfair. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.30pm GMT | at 1.30pm GMT |