Junior Doctors Contract

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 11:00 am on 20 November 2015.

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Photo of Alistair Burt Alistair Burt The Minister of State, Department of Health 11:00, 20 November 2015

The impasse was not created by the Secretary of State. The impasse was created by the BMA walking away from negotiations last year and not returning to negotiations after the recommendations of the independent body came through. That is not an impasse; that is one side deciding it does not want to take part. The Secretary of State’s response has been to say: keep the negotiations going, the door is always open.

The hon. Lady asks where the Secretary of State is today. He is working on the spending review plans for the support the NHS needs; a financial commitment the Labour party did not make at the general election. He is also working on contingency plans to make sure the NHS is safe if action takes place. I think that is pretty important work that he should be doing.