Nurses warn strikes could DOUBLE in size next month as pay talks drag on in 'Tory split'

A government source has denied the split claims as the Royal College of Nursing warned it will send members this Wednesday - and twice as many in February if things go not solved

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on the picket line outside St Thomas' Hospital in central London (

Image: PA)

Nurses' strikes could double next month after pay talks break down - Jeremy Hunt refusing to pay more money.

The Royal College of Nursing will send members to 55 NHS trusts in England on Wednesday and Thursday.

Now the union has warned that if there is no pay improvement, it could strike again on February 6 - and double the current number of nurses could leave.

The walkouts are currently staggered, but if no progress is made by the end of January, the next round of strikes will include all eligible members in England for the first time.

Nearly a week after Tory ministers promised to consider either a one-off payment for NHS staff or a three-month backdating of their 2023/24 salary offer, there is still no breakthrough.

The RCN has warned that if there is no pay advance, it could strike again on February 6 - and double the current number of nurses could leave (

Picture:

Getty Images)

The unions say Health Secretary Steve Barclay has offered to 'advocate' for healthcare workers in the Cabinet and asked for their 'help in advocating'.

UNISON's Sara Gorton told the Observer: "He asked for our help in explaining how improving wages and investing in the workforce could lead to greater efficiency and productivity. "

But it is understood Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is refusing to provide additional money for the health service beyond what has already been agreed.

This means Mr Barclay is pushing for ‘efficiency and productivity’ to fund any pay rises from existing budgets – which angers unions.

Mr. Hunt is now considered a stumbling block in the talks, according to the Sunday Times, while the Observer reported that he...