The five-day strike by junior doctors in England has reached its conclusion, but Health Secretary Wes Streeting has warned that the most challenging period for the NHS is yet to come. While stating the health service is currently "coping" with the industrial action, he expressed deep concern about the recovery phase, which coincides with the NHS's peak winter pressures.
A Tough Stance and a Rejected Deal
Streeting has adopted a firm line in negotiations with the British Medical Association (BMA), which represents the striking doctors. He presented an offer focused on increasing training places but included no additional pay, a proposal that was swiftly rejected by the union. This approach has drawn criticism from trade unions, with Unison's incoming general secretary, Andrea Egan, labelling it "unacceptable".
"I think the NHS is coping," Streeting told the Observer. "The period that worries me more is the post-strike period when we have to try and recover the service. That now falls at a time of year which is the NHS's busiest." He added that while he doesn't believe doctors are selfish, the BMA's position can be "quite hardline and uncompromising".
Broader Political Ambitions and EU Stance
In a wide-ranging interview, the Health Secretary also touched on his political future and economic views. Dismissing recent speculation about a leadership challenge as a "bizarre drive-by", he offered full support to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. However, he diplomatically avoided ruling out any future ambitions, seeking to end the "silly soap opera" of recent months.
On the economy, Streeting emerged as one of the cabinet's more pro-EU voices. He argued that a deeper economic partnership with Europe is essential for growth, citing the "massive economic hit" of Brexit. He expressed discomfort with the UK's high taxation and national debt. While ruling out a return to freedom of movement, he left the door open to a closer trading relationship, potentially including a customs union, describing the current reset with Brussels as merely a "good start".
Policy Divergences and Personal Anecdotes
The interview revealed potential policy differences within the cabinet, notably on social media. Streeting hinted he might take a more radical approach than the Prime Minister on protecting young people online, suggesting he is watching Australia's moves to ban social media for under-16s with interest. He described the online world as increasingly "antisocial media", a place of bullying, misogyny, and radicalisation.
He also joked about leadership rumours with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, recounting a humorous exchange in the voting lobby where he pretended to angle for the Foreign Office in her hypothetical cabinet, only for her to retort she was headed for 'I'm a Celebrity...'.
As the strike action ends, the focus shifts squarely to the NHS's ability to clear the inevitable backlog of appointments and treatments during its traditionally most demanding season, with flu cases adding further strain.
