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100,000 British nurses begin first ever strike amid dispute over pay

Thursday, 15 December 2022 2:48 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 15 December 2022 2:50 AM ]

Brutish nurses are due to strike on Thursday and next Tuesday. (Via GETTY)

Around 100,000 nurses go on strike in their first ever national walkout as the government has ruled out negotiation over pay rise.

The strike, which has canceled thousands of operations and outpatient appointments, ramps up pressure on already-stretched hospitals at one of the busiest times of year.

British nurses have demanded a 19% pay rise, however, the government has said it cannot afford to pay more than the 4-5% offered to nurses, which was recommended by an independent body. It said further pay increases would mean taking money away from frontline services.

The nurses are to repeat the industrial action on December 20.

"It is deeply regrettable some union members are going ahead with strike action," said health secretary Steve Barclay.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has, however, said the strikes are inevitable as nurses are struggling to make ends meet.

Tens of thousands of NHS operations cancelled in England due to staff shortages, data reveals

“Patients are forced to wait longer for vital operations because the Conservatives have failed to train enough staff over the past 12 years,” shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said.

The RCN has also accused the government of "belligerence." It had said as late as Tuesday that the strikes could still be stopped if the government was prepared to negotiate.

Britain is facing a wave of industrial action this winter amid the highest inflation and worst cost-of-living crisis in generations, with strikes crippling the rail network and postal service, and airports bracing for disruption over Christmas.