Health Secretary Wes Streeting has hit out at “irresponsible” resident doctors after rejecting the Government’s offer and continuing ahead with their strikes.

Mr Streeting said of the decision: “I think it’s now clear that what these strikes are really about is the BMA is totally unrealistic. Demand for another 26 per cent, on top of the 28.9 per cent pay rise they’ve already had, not only do I think that is unreasonable and obviously unaffordable.

“I offered to postpone these strikes to reschedule them for January because of the enormous risks to patients and the NHS at the worst possible time, given the enormous pressures we’re seeing and the disruption caused by flu.

“The BMA have chosen to strike this week not only to cause maximum impact and damage to the NHS, but choosing to do so at a time when there is the maximum risk to patients. I think that is irresponsible and I think it’s dangerous. And even now, if the BMA wants to reschedule to January, the government will facilitate that.”

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