Wes Streeting takes on the doctors

<p>The public won’t forgive and nor will I, said Health Secretary Wes Streeting of plans by junior doctors to strike over his refusal to cave to demands for 29 per cent pay rises. Speaking to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/junior-doctors-strike-bma-3kxdknmvf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Times</em></a>&nbsp;he said:&nbsp;‘There are no grounds for strike action now. Resident doctors have just received the highest pay award across the entire public sector. The Government can’t afford to offer more and it wouldn’t be fair to other NHS workers either, many of whom are paid less’.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Is Wes Streeting right? And who's going to come out on top – the Health Secretary or the junior doctors? </p><br><p>Meanwhile, Keir Starmer was very clear at PMQs: stating that ‘yes’, he stands by his manifesto commitments not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT – but he could not answer questions on wealth taxes or a freeze on tax thresholds. Watch this space...</p><br><p>Lucy Dunn discusses with Tim Shipman and Isabel Hardman.</p><br><p><br></p><p>Produced by Megan McElroy.</p><p>Become a <em>Spectator </em>subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to <a href="https://www.spectator.co.uk/follow-your-podcasts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">spectator.co.uk/adfree</a> to find out more.</p><br><p>For more <em>Spectator</em> podcasts, go to <a href="https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcasts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">spectator.co.uk/podcasts</a>.</p><br><p>Contact us: [email protected]</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>