Labour’s 1st week LIVE: ‘Tough’ test for new Government as junior doctors push for massive 35% pay rise in crunch talks

WES Streeting is “optimistic” ahead of talks this afternoon with junior doctors aimed at ending their long-running dispute over pay.

Speaking at the Tony Blair Institute’s Future of Britain Conference, this morning, Streeting, the new health secretary, said: “I’m seeing the junior doctors this afternoon, they are coming into the Department of Health.

“I know they’re coming in not just from my diary, but from the army of cameras and journalists currently stationed outside the department.”

Asked if he was optimistic about the talks, he said: “Optimistic? Yes.

“This is an important reset moment in the relationship between junior doctors and their Government.”

It comes after Keir Starmer chaired his cabinet this morning as Labour ministers prepare to return to the front benches for the first time since 2010 at the opening of parliament this afternoon.

The on-going junior doctors strike is likely to be the first real test for the new Government with the bitter dispute having the potential to reveal cracks in the new administration.

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