Rishi Sunak 'abdicated all responsibility' as strikers 'die to save NHS'

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As paramedics walked out on Wednesday, No10 was again blamed for blocking progress as Unite said the government could have ended the strikes but "chose not to"

Lancashire paramedics took part in strike action outside Devonshire Road Ambulance Station in Blackpool (

Image: James Maloney/Lancs Live)

Rishi Sunak and Steve Barclay are prolonging NHS strikes by refusing to discuss pay with struggling staff, unions warn.

As paramedics walked out on Wednesday, No10 was again accused of blocking any progress. Unite said the government could have ended the strikes but "chose not to".

Furious paramedics and unions last night accused Health Secretary Steve Barclay of insulting dedicated staff after he claimed they deliberately tried to harm patients by going on strike.

The exhausted workers said 12 years of Tory NHS cuts have put sick people at risk on a daily basis and part of the reason for their first walkout in more than 30 years yesterday was to try to save the troubled service of complete destruction.< /p>

Jessica Ettridge on the picket line in Coventry with paramedics (

Picture:

Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror)

They are also demanding a pay rise amid soaring inflation, but Mr Barclay sparked outrage by again refusing to even discuss wages during last-ditch talks on Tuesday night, a snub which he also addressed to the nurses before their strikes.

The Minister said: 'The ambulance unions have made a conscious choice to harm patients.

But Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said it was "a blatant lie".

And she accused Mr Barclay and Rishi Sunak of washing their hands of industrial action instead of sitting around the table for talks that could have ended the dispute earlier this year.< /p>