25/04/2016 House of Commons

I would like to ask the Secretary of State for Defense if you would make

a statement to the governments plans of shipbuilding on the Clyde. I'm

sure way into the honourable ladies question of the whole house like to

join me in offering our sincere condolences to the family and

friends of a captain who tragically died after collapsing during the

London Marathon on Sunday. This is not a operational casualty but given

the interest of many members of his house take in raising charitable

funds for the marathon and as he many members of our Armed Forces at

that it was appropriate to start my response in that way. Our thoughts

are with his family and friends in his difficult time. I welcome the

opportunity to highlight our plans. The tight comments ship programme is

consistent to these plans. They restated this governments commitment

to the tags 26 global combat ship programme. These ships are critical

for the road maybe and we are going ahead with the type 26 ships. The

build work on its will be preceded by disruption of two offshore

personal muscles. We will build a new class of forgets. -- forgets. It

will provide continuity of ship building workload at the shipyards

on the Clyde before district construction began. Nothing has

changed since the publication of the SDS are. Of the decade we will spend

?8 billion on Royal Navy surface warships. We will continue to

progress the programme as last month we announced the award of a contract

BEA systems valued at ?472 million to extend the type 26 demonstration

phase two June 20 17. This will continue to work with industry

forward onto my schedule to affect the outcome of the SDS are. And to

invest in testing facilities. And extend our investment in the water

supply chain in parallel with the rebate signing work which is

continuing. Overall the SDS are achieved a positive and balanced

outcome. Delivering on our commitments to spend at least 2% of

GDP on defence and in the maritime sector setting the trajectory for

extension of the Royal navies frequently. We referred to as the

GPS F. ... With our unique high-end warships. Six type 45 destroyers and

eight type 26 frigate. To deliver the SDS are and must improve and

develop our national ship is ship building capability. To that end we

announced the intent for a nationals shipbuilding strategy and I'm

delighted that Sir John Parker and Freeman engineer and for authority

on the ship building has started work as the independent chair of

this project. I look for to receiving his recommendations which

will address other things, the best approach to the build. I understand

the strong interest in timing of the award of the contract to build type

26 global combat ships. Let me ensure the shipyard workers, this

government remains absolutely committed to the type 26 programme.

And to assembling the ships on the Clyde. Is working with the systems

to take the type 26 programme forward. Ensuring that it has

progressed on a sustainable and stable footing. More broadly for

Scotland, our commitment to the successor programme will sustain

6800 military and civilian jobs. Writing to 8200 by 22 in Scotland.

An additional 270 personnel will be at the base Clyde. Extending into at

least 2040 and upgrading it with you actively electronically scanned

radar will benefit loss of life and others in Edinburgh. Our new airtime

patrol aircraft will be ideally placed for the most common maritime

patrol areas and is currently used as a patroller by our Nato allies.

This will also lead to significant investment in our current estimate

is for 200 action jobs in Scotland. Order. I am most grateful for the

Minister for his words averages gently point out that he was more

than twice his allotted time, he had imported information to impart but I

cannot let it go another time. There are rules in this place and he must

be observed. In recognition of how long it took a minister Venerable

Lady has a slightly longer if she wishes to take. In recovery. Can I

also extend our condolences to the captains family. I'm grateful to

resist that is an urgent question, but I'm deeply disappointed that the

Minister had to be dragged to the house this afternoon to explain what

on earth has been going on to government so far. The Secretary of

State cannot be seen dust. After days of considerable uncertainty

over the future of ship building during which the government has get

remade the design. You have... Desire Royal Navy and national

defence. It is bad enough that a Navy has had its service been cut by

six this is government came into office, we can promise at least 13

new frigate will be built at the time table for delivering them is

slipped governments promised to maintain the fleet at his current

sides is put at risk. Kenny Minister please enter a simple question, will

contraction begin this year in line with previous commitments. The

minister has said that the claims that the orders of new frigate will

sit on the SDS are but the SDSR says nothing about the timetable and a

timetable is vitally important. The units are not being told this could

be delayed for up to a year. If the Minister saying this is not the

case, does he also denied the claims made by the union that the type 26

construction has our been delayed. If this issue is not about the type

26 frigate at the Minister has said. The government has promised that all

13 of the navies new frigate has been built on the Clyde. Not only

the type 26 but at least five later frigate. It is pretty a pretty

estate confirm that today. There were rumours that the two new

offshore personal vessels without committing the same budget as the

forgets. Is this right? Has nothing changes the Minister says, if that

is right and why was it that the systems have not denied press

reports that they will be redundancies in the shipyards. Why

the unions being told that there will be redundancies and if that's

not the case. First is a matter of national importance for United

Kingdom, the future of hundreds of people in Glasgow hang on the

ministers words this afternoon. Would you please answer my questions

about today because this is very important, Mr Speaker the government

says that it is publishing the shipowning strategy later this year,

but the waiting 60 months and we're now told that there has been a chair

pointed, that is good but where are we going to get the strategy this

year. At the mummy and looks like a shambles. This is not a time for

weasel words such as optimised schedules, we need clear-cut

assurances that the government will honour the commitment that has made.

Both the local communities and our national defenses. If it does not

this would be yet another betrayal of Scotland. One of the asking he

will not be able to fix, only a British Labour government will be

able to be in a position. I'm grateful for your advice at the end

of my opening remarks. I will keep my revised breeze. I think the

Honorable Lady is seeking to make a position over a routine meeting but

to the systems in the trade unions which may place last week. That you

come nearly two weeks of a general election for the Scottish Parliament

and she is seeking to make political capital out of that fact. The

commitment to this government from the Royal Navy is crystal clear. We

had a 10-year forward implement plan and which will be investing over ?8

billion. Insufficient. Where is her commitment? Where was her parties

committed to the road Navy? How much are they willing to spend on GDP and

defence? Will contraction begin this year? Placed as I said earlier a

contract for another ?470 million and takes her contract on this

programme up to someone points of the billion pounds. That is paying

for equipment sex -- sets. We have firmed as I had to take we have and

give the type 26 built on the Clyde is the multiyear programme. Extends

beyond the equipment plan before we have the type 23 is coming out from

service. She asked when the national sibling strategy will be published,

we have inviting the innovation and to ensure his work is completed

before the end of the year. I'd expect it will be. She asked when

the time frame will the general-purpose forgets will be

determined and that is part of the visible part of the national sibling

strategy so become apparent once that is published. Since 1997, the

total numbers of frigates and destroyers declined from 35 to May

19 -- only. Does the Minister recognise that the possibility of

the lights and general-purpose frigate is a great opportunity to

reverse the decline in numbers to create the only more platforms for

the Royal Navy but more work for the shipyards and possibly even to

create and export opportunities if the frigate is designed in the right

way which should be modular, adaptable, and Campbell of being

upgraded in service rather than having all of the accoutrements put

on it from day one. I thank my Honorable friend who is very

knowledgeable on all matters nipple. He is right to draw attention to the

fact that the introduction of a new and letter class of frigate does

raise the prospects of not only the possibility of more platforms for

the Royal Navy, but also the prospects for more exports. As far

as I am aware that not been a conflict warship exported from the

yards to other navies around the world. This provides the opportunity

to provide the general-purpose frigate and patrol vessels to give

the Royal Navy in due course a larger physical preference and

reverse the decades of decline. I'm sure those watching will be

disappointed with this question came so quickly, I want to pay tribute to

my colleague, the Honorable moment... The question was not

exposed in this timetable. This will be expected since the publication of

SDSR last year. This government was creating the conditions to once

again betrayed workers on the Clyde. Earlier today minister met with the

union and be AEE and he expressed their brief concern that... Database

they stream of what is coming to the yard on the Clyde guaranteeing

employment just three years ago. The Prime Minister said, and I quote,

Scottish defence jobs are more secure as part of the United

Kingdom. The minister say, can you confirm that there will be no

redundancies at the systems in Glasgow and Kenny confirm that the

Ministry of Defense will stick to the time frame that has been agreed

and set out? But I can confirm is that half of the independence vote

gone the way that he has collies would have liked that would have

been no warships built on the Clyde because the United Kingdom

government would not have chosen to do so. What made it very clear. As

it is I just confirmed the house earlier today we will be proceeding

with construction of eight public typo exports of on the Clyde when

the programme is ready to do so. Does my Honorable friend share my

concern that the shadow defence secretary is refusal to commit her

party to the 2% Nato extension to GDP defence and not only a threat to

our national security to key programmes and investment on type 26

with Mac and he is right, this is an obfuscation on the part of the

obvious opposition. I would draw his attention to the backlog of work

head of shipowners in this country as a result of our mother plan and

commitment to build the eight type 26 vessels. There is no warships

guard in Europe which has the prospect of eight substantial

warships to look for two. From that perspective those working in those

yards in Scotland can take some considerable hard that they are

working in our yards with an yards elsewhere in Europe. The Secretary

of State for defence has stated in the past that warships are only

building UK arts. What percentage of the total contract value will float

to British companies. Not just the context of the swift timetabling of

awarding contracts to help the British steel industry now? I think

that it's a good question and I wish I was in position to give him a

answer. I will say that of the countries that up been place sucks

far the vast majority have got to UK contractors. In relation to the

systems and long lead items that have been placed thus far. Formerly

systems to Rolls-Royce and to the gearboxes. As far as the steel

content is concerned which is I know the subject of great interest to the

honourable gentleman. We made it very clear that in this house that

UK steel mills might have the opportunity to beta for this of the

course of this programme. They will be up to the British steel industry

to see if it is in a position to match those orders for the

specification for timelines. Does my writable friend have any information

over the designation of the GP frigate would be confirmed. Would be

a type 31 at his rumoured in the press. Would be directed to exports

and will be getting out and getting ideas for that side of the exports

should because back my Honorable friend pushes me to try and preempt

the normal routine for the Royal Navy to make designations and in

particular naming of vessels which he did not ask for but are regularly

asked for in this house by colleagues to let you express an

interest on behalf of the constituents quite rightly. I cannot

give her any current comfort of the designation of the vessels. She is

right to question whether or not the vessels will be designed with export

process in mind. I do have said to my friend that is something we

intend to do but the priority would be to meet the requirements and

needs of the Royal Navy was ... But with an eye on possibility for

exports. Does he have an estimate of the percentage of the work on the

frigate which will be carried out in Scotland during the programme. Has

that changed over the last 18 months and does the government have an

estimate of the number of fewer jobs in shipbuilding related roles that

would be in Scotland in the Scottish national party got its wish to carry

out its obsession with taking Scotland out of the United Kingdom!

My Honorable friend is a champion of English should building to Billy in

his constituency across the border. I don't have a direct figure for him

as to what would happen to the type 26 programme in Scotland. Our intent

is to build the ships on the Clyde in Scotland. I don't perceive any

direct change from the position we were in last year. As far as he is

concerned, and he is vastly right there would be an enormous impact on

reducing jobs in Scotland, had a Scottish people decided to follow

the Scottish national party advice and vote for an independent

Scotland. Some of these people need to calm down. Mr blackboard you are

an extraordinary individual. You become very excitable. I prefer your

cerebral side if you can find to be for the afternoon is out. The house

will be greatly obliged to you. Following on from the question for

the Honorable member. Order order. I don't know what has exerciser but we

cannot do that matter now, when you order afterwards that I will happily

hear her. It's synergistic elation going on. Members from the Labour

benches in the Scottish national party benches should calm down, but

I will come to the point of order at the appropriate time if it is still

relevant. We all must unite in hearing the next speaker. Following

on, has any specific assessment been made of the impact of any delays on

the British steel industry in particular? We have made it very

clear that the British Government procurement policies of the adopted

by the Minister of defence. We're looking to provide for all of

contracts, where stealing is involved for contractors to ensure

the British steel manufacturers have an opportunity to bid. No in respect

in that change is that we have limited that new policy that before.

Thank you Mr Speaker, the workforce on the Clyde are highly skilled and

motivated men and women. I do wish to focus in the house this afternoon

could be preserving their futures and livelihoods as that of any other

consideration. With that in mind for the Minister assure me that the

treatment of the end of the construction of the offshore patrol

vessels and the start of the type 26 and everything will be done to

ensure that there is continuity, because it is a in our national

strategic interest to ensuring that workforce is maintained. I'm

grateful for focusing his question the very important subject. I grew

them that the workforce on the Clyde are highly skilled and indeed I make

a point of meeting with the trade union reps ship owners on the Clyde.

I did say last month that the shortages question is yes. The five

five offshore patrol vessels, three of which are in-built into it would

be added as part of the SDSR. They do provide continuity between the

typo defies and the aircraft characters. With the type 26 again.

And I welcome the news of these new ships, it is fantastic news. We

still do not have enough but we are going to right direction. They ask

my Honorable friend that no HM ships currently serving we withdraw and

before and until any new ship is built and commissioned. I think my

Honorable friend is referring to the type 23 class of forgets and the

intent of the Royal Navy is for the new vessels to come in to replace

type 23 ships on a flight for life basis as they come out of service.

CHEERING -- Hear, hear! He stated in the contract for the forgets with

secure jobs in the Clyde from the next 30 years, another delays in

this contract is running very jobs of this topic should secure can you

tell the workforce when he should What I can tell the workforce, as I

did to the trade union representatives, in the honourable

lady when she visited me last month as Paul, is that we have a programme

for type 26 in the offshore control vessels and the subsequent

general-purpose frigate. This is the biggest shipbuilding

programme that we have had in this country for a number of years. That

should give reassurance that the highly skilled workforce will have

jobs for decades to come. With quality jobs and apprenticeships

being secured by David Brown engineering and Huddersfield, can

the Minister assured me that as we move forward with the purpose

frigate programme, that the Northern Powerhouse will be a major part of

that programme? My honourable friend is right to highlight the gearbox

work for David Brown. They have already secured contracts. The

benefit of the Royal Navy shipbuilding programme is not

confined to Scotland. It does affect constituencies across this country.

That is just as it should be, and what we will be seeking to do is to

highlight honourable members and their constituencies when contacts

are placed, the work that will be provided to their constituents.

Perhaps amongst the politics, this house can remember the estimated 800

families who it is a worrying time for what their livelihoods at risk.

Can the Minister confirm that the promised investment in upgrading the

shipyards will be going ahead? I hope that some of the remarks I made

earlier today will provide some reassurance to the families of those

who work on the Clyde. As far as investment is concerned, part of the

context that we have already signed with the a systems do help provide

test facilities both on the Clyde in and supply chain. I can't update the

honourable lady any further at this point. Type 45 destroyers have

world-class capabilities, but they cost ?1 billion each. One of the

reason but they cost more than we thought, and took longer to build,

was that they kept being predesigned after construction had started. Now

we learn that there have been major problems with the power play. Can

the Minister assured the House that these mistakes will be avoided for

me come to the type 26 frigates. My honourable friend makes a valid

point. There is no doubt that before you start construction of a complex

warship, it makes an enormous amount of difference if the design is more

complete than otherwise. He is right to point out that the type 45

programme began with a less advanced design than the type 26 will have.

We hope that we are learning lessons from that. We have certainly learned

lessons in relation to the power and propulsion have a different system.

Some of the of representing... 800 jobs at risk is not... Can the

Minister confirm that the reason original date for cutting steel...

What are the reasons for the delay? What methods does the Minister had

to the trade unions and workforce and the Clyde who viewed the

national shipbuilding with suspicion and attempt to reduce the role of

shipbuilding on the Clyde? Are the fears of the workforce unfounded or

is that another for trails like betrayal still to come? I have been

pleased to meet him at the yard in the past. To use words like

betrayal, this is not frankly, characterizing what is happening. We

are making commitments to build a type 26 for several years had. I

cannot, I'm afraid, give him an update on the date that cuts will be

a merge from work that has been finalised. I think that it is wrong

to suggest that people should be fearful of the outcome of the

national shipbuilding project. This is to seek to put the roller coaster

ride of shipbuilding in his country in recent years onto a firm and

stable footings that there is clarity for the next decade. The

honourable gentleman says that that is what they think. Perhaps I can

help him by saying that the objective of the national

shipbuilding strategy is to align the Royal Navy requirements, which

stretch of the many years ahead, with the capability in this country

to maintain high quality engineering skills in this country. They

presently reside on the Clyde in his constituency. I wanted to ask the

Minister to Mac specific questions. Will there still be five the

general-purpose frigates and wearable baby build? On the Clyde or

elsewhere? The honourable gentleman will have to wait and see what

emerges from the national shipbuilding strategy. The intent is

that by having a more affordable design he would be able to do some

of the less high tempo tasks which the type 26 will undertake. It

should allow the Royal Navy potentially to have more than five

frigates. I can confirm that the intent is to replace the type 23 on

it like for like basic with the potential for there to be more.

People have to wait and see what images and the national ship

building strategy is to timetable in the patient. Given that had a task

force of 42 Royal Navy ships. This figure the us to believe that a

fleet of 19 frigates of destroyers sufficient for a Navy with strategic

ambitions outlined in the 2015 SDSR. I would remind the honourable

gentleman that part of me should teach it ambition is fulfilled by

the two primary. As far as the defence is concerned, I can

absolutely be assured him that the military assets in place on and

around the full ones are of an order of magnitude greater than they half

than in previous times. In particular in comparison with 1982,

and therefore the notion of having to send a flotilla of the type of

taken at that time will not be required in the event of a threat to

the Falklands today. Shipbuilders on the Clyde are very skilled as are

those in Merseyside. They also share having experienced a threat of

redundancy over many years. Will he confirm that the government has...

Will cover the sludge in all parts of the country where ever Marine

engineering skills resigned? The objective of the national

shipbuilding strategy is to look at the manufacture of complex warships.

As part of that, there are significant capabilities, as she

prefers to, across the country to the supply chain. I am not expecting

a detailed review of all elements of the supply chain, but I take the

point that she has made and I will reflect upon that my conversations

with Mr John Parker. I was going to call Natalie. No? The order can be

fragmented to bring with the government... With uncertainty,

exactly what type of regulation is a government hoping to bring? Is the

Minister nothing think that on Clyde deserve to hear what work will be

available and when? The honourable lady I'm afraid we'll have to have a

little more patience. The way that major procurements of this take

place, it is not appropriate except hair is running or be alarmist about

the prospect for individual companies or locations until such

time as a contract has been signed. There is not the clarity that the

honourable lady seeks to achieve. The 2015 SDSR gave commitment to

frigates being built on the Clyde, but given the workers that covered

its... We forgive and work for sex, does he wonder why the Clyde work

space are unsure about promises? When decisions were taken were taken

to reduce the type 45 class. We did make it crystal clear in the SDSR at

that age type 26 global combat ships will be billed, and that they will

be built on the Clyde. In response to her colleague earlier, I think

that that is to be assurance that the workforce on the Clyde needs.

This is a Ford programme, the like of which we have not been able to

make. Now we can. The Minister has spoken about the role of steel in

the frigates and other key pieces of procurement that the MOD will be

making. I was not particularly comforted by his comment on the role

that procurement will play in this case. Can he confirm that local

content, local value, will play a key role when decisions are made

about procuring steel? As the honourable gentleman knows, the

specification and standards of steel required for Maple warships is not

same. -- Naval. That is why there has been different proportions of UK

steel content in different types of military platforms. The offshore

patrol vessels, for example, have a dinner plate then it is currently

available from any of the mills in the UK, which is white UK meals --

no UK mills bid for that thus far. -- dinner plate.

Believed to be inviting steel manufacturers and give them an

opportunity to bid. The Minister said earlier that he is still

confident that his department's orders will provide jobs for decades

to come. That of course will be of little benefit to anyone who gets

made redundant between now and when his department makes up its mind

about what it is going to do. Can I ask him again the question that he

has not so far answered, will he get a commitment there will be no

compulsory redundancies on the Clyde as a result of these delays? All I

can say to the honourable gentleman any work based on the Clyde is that

we have through the SDSR and again committed today a commitment to till

eight type 26 is on the Clyde. That will provide work for the highly

skilled workforce on the Clyde for many, many years. The growing sense

of anger and frustration on the Clyde, many workers feel they were

used as a constitutional pond. -- pawn. I find it hard to characterize

a commitment to build eight complex warships on the Clyde as being if

the trail. That is what we did in SDSR, and that has not changed.

Thank you Mr Speaker, said the guards on the Clyde require a

commitment from the UK Government that you will deliver the contract

as promised without any risk to important. Will the Minister be

recommended to the government ferment... I am sorry to have to

stay to the honourable gentleman, the risks to employment on the Clyde

will. The fact that they didn't. There are still hundreds of people

working in shipbuilding on the Clyde. A debate like this, language

is important. In his response, the Minister stated that ships would be

assembled and at one point constructive. Can he clarify beyond

doubt, kidney minister to the House that those in my constituency

represented by my honourable friend, also includes fabrication? That it

is beginning to in any yards and not somewhere else. I would encourage

the honourable gentleman to spend a little more time in the guards on

the Clyde to understand how come parents and systems are an integral

part of the capability of building a conference worship. Fabrication is

an important part of that, but much of the value in the content comes

from introducing weapons that are not up on the Clyde. On the 4th of

April 2013, the Prime Minister said that Scottish defence talks were

more secure as part of the United Kingdom. As the Minister realise how

ridiculous that now sounds? I will have to repeat again that we have

committed to build eight type 26 complex warships on the Clyde. Half

the people of Scotland voted for it in independent feature we would not

have made a commitment. After a little time to simmer down and I

hope that the honourable gentleman has now acquired the poise, grab a

task, and serenity to which he has now aspired. We are beginning to

gently simmer. Can I reflect on the words that the Minister said. The

demonstration phase is not going to continue to June 20 17. Is not that

not the cat out of the bag? Why doesn't he get the guarantee of the

workforce that the jobs are saved in the Beacon reflect -- we can

reflect. I'm not sure that the simmering has really called the

honourable gentleman down. As I said. We will provide high-quality

jobs, which would not have been the case of the people of Scotland voted

for independence. Points of order after statements. There are a number

of statements, I know. That is the way in which we deal with these

matters. That is how it will be handled today. The code to the

statement by the secretary of state for help. -- health. We have many

choices in life. One thing over which we have no control is the date

of the week we get ill. That is why the first line on the first page of

this government's manifesto said that we will deliver a seven day NHS

so that we can promise NHS patients the same high-quality care every day

of the week. We know from countless studies there is a weakened effect

showing higher mortality rates for people admitted to hospital at

weekends. The British public note it also, and today we reaffirm that no

trade union has a right to veto a manifesto promised voted for by the

British people. We are proud of the NHS as one of our greatest

institutions, but we must turn up right into actions in a seven-day

service will help us turn the NHS into one of the safest highest

health care systems in the world. This week, the BMA has called on

junior doctors to withdraw emergency care for the first time ever. I will

update the House on the extensive measures being taken up and down the

country to try to keep patients safe. Before I do that, I wish to

appeal directly to all junior doctors, not to withdraw emergency

cover which creates particular breasts for AMD's, maternity units,

and intensive care units. -- risks. They are not always able to give

patients the highest quality of care that they would like to. I

understand that some doctors may disagree with the government over

our seven day NHS plans, and particularly the introduction of a

new contract. I also understand that doctors worked incredibly hard,

including at weekends. The strong feelings exist on the single

remaining busy grooming us substance Saturday paid. The new contract

offers junior doctors who work frequently at weekends more Saturday

premium pay than nurses, paramedics, and the assistants who work in their

own operating theatres. More than police officers, firefighters, and

ended nearly every other worker and the public and private sectors.

Regrettably, at the end of the status view, and vulnerable to

attack vulnerable people have seen a kid disrupted the public will

question whether this is a... Taking strike action is a choice, and if

they won't listen to the Health Secretary average person to listen

to some of the country's most experienced doctors that have all

urged doctors to consider the damage both to patients and the reputation

of the medical profession that will cost. Let me address some of the

concerns that have been raised by junior doctors. Firstly, the concern

that a seven day NHS might spread resources too thinly. This

government's financial commitment to the NHS has already seen a like for

like increase of 10,000 7000 more Hospital nurses. Following last

year's spending review, commended the government to a increase in the

budget by 2020. I can't today tell the House up by the end of this

Parliament, the supply of doctors trained to work in the NHS will have

increased by a further 11,000 420. While it is to the pressures on the

NHS will continue to increase on the back of an ageing population, we are

not saying that the current workforce will have to bear all the

streams of delivering a seven-day service, evening date though they

must play the part. There is concern that the government will want to see

all NHS services operating seven days. Let me be clear, our plans are

not about elective care, but about improving the consistency of urgent

and emergency care at evenings and weekends. To do this, the Academy

has ... Seven-day availability of diagnostic test with a one hour

turnaround for the most critically ill patients, 24 24 hour access

twice daily reviews of patients and high dependency areas such as

intensive care units. Around one quarter of the country will be

covered by trusts meeting the standards for next April, rising to

the whole country by 2020. Thirdly, there is a concerned that proper

seven-day services need supportive services for doctors in the weekends

and evenings as much as doctors themselves. Less than half of

hospitals are currently meeting the standard on began diagnostic

services. Meaning that patients needing urgent or emergency testing

on a Saturday or Sunday such as urgent alters ultrasounds or even

days of anxiety waiting for weekday tests. Our new status will change

this. -- standards there is a legitimate concern that a seven day

NHS needs to apply to services offered outside of hospitals if we

are properly to reduce the pressure on struggling departments. As

announced last week, the government's seven day NHS will also

see transformed services to our GPs. We are committing an extra ?2.4

billion a year for GP services. The spending will rise from nine points

?6 billion last year to over ?12 billion by 2021. A 14% in real terms

increase. Thanks to the significant investment, patients will see a

genuine transit domain transformation in how general

practice services operate in England. By 2020, everyone should

have access to easier and more convenient GP services, including

evenings and weekends. We will not be asking all GP practices to open

up again to deliver this commitment. Instead, using networks of practices

to make sure that people can get to evening or weekend appointments even

if not at their regular practice. We have committed to group or create an

additional 5000 doctors to work in general practices to help meet this

commitment and will support GPs in the treasure by harnessing... The

impact of the next two days will be unprecedented. With over 110,000

outpatient appointments and over 12 and a half thousand operations

cancelled. However, the NHS has made exhaustive preparations in order to

try to make sure patients remain safe. I want to thank those many

people in NHS England at every trust and the country who have been

working incredibly hard over this weekend to that effect. I myself

have chaired a series of contingency planning meetings bringing together

the operational response across the entirety of the NHS and social care

systems. From this, NHS England has worked with every trust to ensure

they have plans in place to provide safe care with particular focus on

the emergency departments, maternity units, cardiac arrest teams, and

mental health crisis teams. As part of their duties for civil

contingency preparedness, trust also have major incident plans in place.

NHS England has also as GP practices and other primary care providers in

some areas to extend their opening hours so patients can continue to

get the important, but not emergency care, such as follow-ups and

assessments of thingy. Finally, we set up a dedicated strike page on

the NHS website to provide as much information to the public as

possible on what local authorities up Tardis to hospital care there

are, where these alternatives are,. The NHS 111 system will also work as

a mother inject, and has been provided with additional staff to

cope with the expected increase in demand. We will encourage people

concerned that they may need urgent care to visit this website and call

111 in advance of showing up to an a department. Mr Speaker, the eight

NHS is busting their guts to keep the public safe.

To help deliver this, the NHS will this year received the sixth biggest

funding increase in its history. It is not just about money, as we know

from the mistakes of previous governments. It is also about taking

the tough and difficult decisions necessary to make sure we really do

turn our NHS into the safest, highest quality health care system

in the world. This government will not dock that child. I commend the

statement to the House. Hear, hear! Can I think the House secretary for

the advance... Tomorrow's strike is one of the saddest days in the

history of the NHS. The saddest thing is that the person sat

opposite me could have prevented it. Hear, hear! Yesterday, as the House

secretary was presented with a genuine constructive cross party

proposal and to pilot the contract. This would have enabled him to make

progress towards his manifesto commitment on seven-day services and

crucially could have potentially averted this week's strike. Any

responsible house secretary would have grasped that opportunity

immediately, or at least considered it then discussed it. But not this

one. Yesterday morning, he tweeted, Labour plan is opportunism. That was

a deeply disappointing and irresponsible response. Let me just

remind the Health Secretary that the proposal was not a Labour plan, but

was cosigned by two of his respected former ministers, the conservative

member for central Stoffel Philipp Sabot and north is which. The

Liberal Democrat member for North... The honourable Lady for Central

Ayrshire in. Let me also remind him that it not only have the support of

a number of medical Royal colleges, including the Royal College of

surgeons, but crucially the BMA had indicated that they were prepared to

meet with the government and discuss calling off Tuesday and Wednesday's

action. The Health Secretary claimed yesterday that a phased imposition

is the same as a pilot. Can he explain how imposition on a

predetermined timescale with no opportunity to right the wrongs of

his proposed contract, and with no independent assessment of its impact

on patient care, is the same as a pilot? Why is the Health Secretary

so afraid of an independent evaluation? Why doesn't he wants to

know how changing this contract actually contribute in practice to

meeting his aspirations for more consistent emergency care across

seven days of the week? Why is it that he is so determined to railroad

this contract through with all the associated implications instead of

friends testing it and working with junior doctors and hospital bosses

to bring about the changes in patient care and outcomes he wants

to see? Mr Speaker, the Health Secretary claims that any further

delay means it will take longer to eliminate the so-called weekend

effect. He has failed to produce a shred of evidence to show how

changing the junior doctor contract alone will deliver that aim. He will

know that the very person he appointed to lead his negotiations

has said that the staff group who needs to change their working

patterns leased to deliver seven-day care is to your doctors. They

already work weekends. They already work nights. They work bank holidays

also. Mr Speaker, the Health Secretary talked about safety. He is

right to do so. NHS England's update today said the NHS is pulling out

all the stops to minimise the risk to the quality and safety of care

this week. We know that in many cases, senior staff will be stepping

in to provide cover and ensure the provision for essential services.

There is no escaping the fact that this is the time of unprecedented

risk. She should have thought about that yesterday before dismissing a

plan which could have seen the strike averted. Mr Speaker, the

Health Secretary wants to be remembered as the person who

championed cheap patient -- patient safety. It will be the people who

work any NHS who will be picking up the pieces this dispute and they are

rightly worried about the long-term safety implications of the proposed

contract. Let me ask the Health Secretary this, how can it be safe

to impose a contract when no one knows what the impact will be on

recruitment and retention for everyone fears the worst? When he is

running the risk of losing hundreds of female doctors given a contract

this portion impact on women, and even when just 1% of junior doctors

decide enough is enough and leave the NHS, those are people we can not

afford to do without. Mr Speaker, how can it be safe? To impose a

contract that risks destroying the morale of junior doctors when the

NHS does not just depend on the goodwill of staff going the extra

mile, but it survives on it. This Health Secretary is breaking bad

goodwill. How can it be safe to introduce a contract where there is

no guarantee that effective and robust safeguards will be in place

to control hours work and shift patterns? These are the issues that

a pilot could have addressed, and that is precisely why it had the

backing of so many people. I suspect, that when the Health

Secretary gets back to his feet, he will launch another attack on Dean

and the Labour Party to detract attention for his culpability for

tomorrow's action. I know this, Mr Speaker, because last week instead

of working to resolve this dispute the Health Secretary was busy

writing me a 2-page letter which he briefed to the sun asking me if I

will be on a picket line? Let me deal with this now in the hope that

we can get some construction constructive answers from the Health

Secretary. No, I won't be on a picket line tomorrow or Wednesday.

But that is not because I don't support the junior Doctor's cause,

and is certainly not because I feel even an ounce of sympathy for the

Health Secretary. It's because I think patients affected by this

dispute want to see politicians working together to find a

constructive solution. That is exactly what I was doing last week

while the Health Secretary was penning his pathetic political

attacks. Hear, hear! I am flattered that the Health Secretary attaches

such significance to my actions, but the truth is, it is his actions and

his actions alone that can stop this strike. Not to me, not to the Labour

Party, him. If he plows on that I warned him not, history will not be

kind to him. It will show that when faced with a compromise, the Health

Secretary chose a fight. When presented with a way out, this

Health Secretary chose to dig in. When asked to put pasted patients

first, this Health Secretary chose strengths. Mr Speaker, the way the

government has handled this dispute is the political equivalent of

pouring oil on to a blazing fire. Even if we put to one side the legal

question about his authority to impose a contract and the detail of

the contract provisions, the simple truth is this, there is no trust

left between the people who work in the NHS and this Health Secretary.

He can barely show his face in a hospital because he ends up being

chased down the road. This is a deeply, deeply sad day for the NHS.

Even at this 11th hour, I urge him to find a way out.

Mr Speaker, the Shadow Health Secretary can do better than that.

She talked about the judgements, she talked about the judgement that I

have made as Health Secretary. I will tell her a judgement issue. It

is whether or not to back a union that is withdrawing life-saving care

from your own constituents, have secretaries should stand up for

their constituents and patients. If she will not I will. She also talked

about the trust and of the profession. The healthy Kerry loses

the trust of the possession -- professional AV Health Secretary

does not make tough decisions to make health care better for

patients. Something we have seen little evidence from her or her

predecessors. Shows the talked about putting oil on a blazing fire, but

what does she make then of the shadow chancellors comments when he

says he got to work to bring down this government at the first

opportunity whether it is in Parliament, on the picket line, or

on the streets, is Labour leadership will be with you. Yes, with the

strikers but also against the patients and neighbours should be

ashamed of, it's like that. Made by the Shadow Chancellor. But still

with the substance of what she said. She talked about her proposals for

pilots. If this was a genuine attempt to broker a deal between all

the parties why wasn't that the first the government knew about it

was when we read the Sunday Times yesterday morning. This was about

politics, not peacemaking. If she is saying that we should stage

implementation of this contract to make sure we get absolutely right

and I agree. That is when only 11% of junior doctors are going onto the

new contract and August. She independent studies into mortality

rates for weekends, we have already had the agent knew last six years.

Putting to begin to fade, how many more studies that she want? Now is

the time to act, to save lives, and give us a safe NHS for our patients.

She ducked a legal parent that powers. The hell act of 2006 is very

clear where my powers are. Either directly or indirectly to introduce

a new contract with foundation trust choose to follow the national

contract. Mr Speaker I have given very straight answers today, but

will she tell us yes or no, will you never tell us yes or no, do they or

do they not support the withdrawal of lessening care for NHS patients.

Her answer last week was no comment, will no comment is now British and

Mr Speaker. They were used to stand up for vulnerable patients, but now

they care more about powerful unions and it is the conservatives are

putting their money into the NHS delivering a seven-day service for

patients and fighting to make NHS care the best in the world. Thank

you Mr Speaker, there are only losers in this dispute. Those who

have the most to lose our patients and their families. Tomorrow there

will be people visiting hospitals to see the people they care about

whether anything in the world. They'll be asking themselves why the

doctors on the picket line are not inside looking after the people they

love. Can I ask the BMA directly whether they will show dignity and

put patients first and draw back from this escalation. Whatever

provocation they feel that all sides put patients first in this dispute.

Can I think her for her intervention. She stood very wisely

and wrote recently in the Guardian something I agree with, something

that there could've been a solution to this problem back in February

there is a very fair compromise put on the table. The one outstanding

issue of substance which is Saturday pay. This is a very emotive issue,

the government initially wanted there to be no premium pay on

Saturdays, in the end we agreed to premium pay for anyone who works on

one Saturday a month or war. That will cover more than half of all

junior doctors working on Saturday. Unfortunately the negotiators were

not willing to take that opportunity. I would just say that I

urge them as well tomorrow to come up whatever the differences in the

bar with the government, to think about patients. It would be a

tragedy for the NHS is the thing goes wrong and he next couple of

days and they have a duty to make sure that wrong. I welcome the

Secretary of states absolute commitment to date there were only

talking about seven-day emergency care. They have been many times in

the past where he has seemed to move between elective and emergency. He

has also criticised the imposition and has described the fact that what

has lost consensus across the profession has been this conflation

of the need for robust emergency service over seven days with the

junior contract when they already work seven days. I think that what

has also said Google has been the use statistics without analysis.

This is not after death on the weekend, suggesting poor care, but

action deaths among people admitted and begins within 30 days. That is

quite an odd formula. We can think of things that might contribute, and

the standards that the Secretary of State mentioned I would support.

Then the family junior doctors. Number one is probably access to

diagnosis. People lying over the weekend, not accessing scans, and

therefore their whole path is laid. That was to aid depth that

identified issues, not sufficient seniority of operating surgeon

later. Not sufficient seniority of... We have now worked out with

the problem is. Therefore going on about the four standards, Senior

reviewed, 24/7 access, and basically access to diagnostics. This will not

be changed for the junior doctor contract. Secretary of State calls

in the BMA to listen to leaders. In his letter to the leader of the BMA

over the weekend he highlights things that so needs sorting out.

There is a need to talk. There has been no talking for five weeks.

Surely we would stop imposition and get rid of the strike and go back to

the table and complete the talk. I figure the total tragedy when the

Health Secretary and that no other choice but to impose. Had we had

sensible negotiations that would not have been necessary. Signs of the

world colleges and what they say is that withdrawal of emergency care

should not happen. The president of the Royal College of surgeons said

that she could not strike personally. I have tried this

afternoon, to be very clear what is exactly what we are trying to do. We

have been clear on many occasions that this does not apply to elective

care. She is conservative of the statistics I would encourage her to

read some the many studies that we have had. We have had 50

international studies covering stroke, cancer, emergency surgery,

paediatric care, including a very thorough study that was published

last September. What many of the talk about she is right, is senior

decision-makers being present. That could be a consultant, and can also

be an experienced junior doctor. She knows junior doctors, some what of a

misnomer, BB eight for seven years is to be a junior doctor, just as

with a link with the Junior Doctor contract. The single ascending issue

is Saturday pay rates. That is which the thing that's they confirm their

cells, that that was the issue. We need to make it possible for doctors

to roster more people on weekends. Saturday pay raises honestly

connected to them. Would have tragedy today is that the supply of

trained doctors into the NHS will be going up doing is province. Without

the depending on the current workforce to supply the additional

set of eight cover in its entirety. There will be more doctors will

spread the burden that we would get a safe NHS that we want. I support

the mission of the seven-day NHS any safer NHS. For all those uncommitted

listening to our debate that is what the NHS to work, can you just tell

us how a big is the gap and how to CC being resolved? -- see it he is

right to draw attention to the difficult paradox that we came very

close to an agreement earlier this year. Had there been a willingness

to negotiate, rather than what I fear was the desire for a full

government climbed down, is really about social hour day, not Saturday

pay. As were the main difference was. We've sensible sensible cost of

governments on that. We had to decide, this is what Sir David

Dalton said we had to decide quickly longer going to do. That will be in

the new contracts from this August. We are very willing to talk to all

parties including the BMA about the implementation of these contracts.

About anything to make sure this contract works, because mood much

rather have a negotiated agree to solution going further and is a

great tragedy we were not able to do this this time. When his secretary

is taken as the chamber today I don't know whether or not he

realises it, but there is a smirk and arrogance about him that almost

betrays the fact that he is delighted in taking part in this

activity! He could start negotiations today, wipe that smirk

off his face, get down to some serious negotiation is, it is had to

be done in the past, but instead he comes into here to try and blame the

opposition for what has taken place! This strike can only because by two

sides! One of the Junior Hospital Doctors and the other side is the

government acted like he has almost given the impression that he is

reveling in standing up to the Junior hospital doctors, start

negotiating now and sort the matter out! Hear, hear! Dano gentleman has

made many countries is this house, but that was unworthy of his track

record. The meantime with the government has been trying to do to

solve this issue, we have been talking to the BMA for over three

years, we have had three independent processes, 75 meetings to try and

resolve these issues. In his meetings he might be interested to

know that we made 74 concessions. There's been a huge effort, it is

not just about talking but both sides, cover Monday to reach a

solution. The committee were not willing to have those constructive

discussions. That is why we face the tragic discussion -- thing that we

face now. We have not had sensible negotiations the time. I met with

junior doctors on Saturday morning and they said to me that they did

want to go back to talking, so maybe that is something the union is not

representing as well as it could. They also said that apart from the

date, there were a couple of the did have concerns about. I need to ask a

he could look at those. It was due to rusting and timing. It should be

finishing a one or two in the morning, I think there are some

issues of the two discussion to my doctor and instantly wanted to go

on. Maybe the union is not being as helpful as they could be. I'm afraid

junior doctors who work in credit be hard on the back foot of the NHS

have not been well represented by their union. The BMA is currently

telling junior doctors not to co-operate with trust in any

discussions at all about the implementation of the new contract.

The kind of issues she talks about are exactly the issues that we want

to sit down and talk to the BMA about. To the chair of the General

Counsel, and I talk to him earlier this afternoon about the possibility

of talks to go through all of those after contractual issues, and the

contract itself and make sure we've listed it in the best possible way.

That is the kind of dialogue with the government is going to have.

That's how we would welcome. You need another party to come to the

table and we are going to succeed in doing it he knows very well the

seven-day working has nothing to do with his proposed new contact. He

visited the hospital sure referred to earlier Risley. They already

running is seven-day service on the existing contract. I have to tell

him that his petulant rejection of the all party proposal to pilot this

contract shows that tomorrow will be his adjustability and his alone.

Let's be absolutely clear, the people who are responsible for the

strike tomorrow the people who choose to do the BMA is urging and

withdrawing care for patients. There are a couple of trusts in the

country that have been very good about introducing a seven-day

standards in urgent emergency care. My judgement and he got judgement of

the government is that it would not be possible under current contract

was structures throw that all across the whole NHS. That to have the most

outstanding leaders in the NHS, we need to learn from what they had

done and make it possible for the same things to happen at all

hospitals including his own. Those of us who have served our time at

junior doctors understand the hard work in a very long hours that they

have. The system that has too few doctors is the exception. Many who

believe that there is no dispute about paid conditions that justifies

putting peasants lives at risk, casting my Honorable friend that has

of confusion about the government has meant by a seven-day NHS. It has

always been in seven-day emergency service, but it is too patchy across

the country. Annie's been very different they a set of service

which said they cannot be achieved with doctors alone, there are very

honest and others. The government cases to be more clear and defining

silly know what is we're trying to achieve. There is very little

difference between what the government wants and what the

doctors want, not withstanding the fact that I believe the BMA has

paved rather badly. He is right, I think the tragedy here is that with

the government once, which is to illuminate the weekend effect where

they have higher mortality rates for those admitted to the weekend is

exactly what every doctor wants. We should be sitting around the table

it discussing how we can achieve a proper consisting seven-day system

for emergency care. Because elected provision, that is not part of a

plan. There are some trust that are operating in active care. We're are

charged do is reduce the higher mortality rates, and we think that

is the heart of our vision for a true seven-day NHS. To the Health

Secretary name a single medical College who backed his decision to

impose this contract? All I would say is every medical college agrees

with me that doctors should not withdraw emergency care in

tomorrow's strike because this is a big as my right honourable friend

said earlier is a line to the medical profession has not crossed

before and I don't think that she crossed the tomorrow either. The

essay on behalf of members of both sides of the house how good is to

see the Honorable Lady back in her seat and I hope not in very health.

-- now. I think many members are as concerned as a circuit Secretary of

State is. Would you agree with me to junior doctors do seem to have some

concerns about the rotating shift patterns particularly when they're

married to another doctor. As he able to give any assurance first of

that as it is rolled out, this would be looked up very carefully and at

the NHS would be helpful to couples in that situation in making sure

that the rotating shifts are more reasonable? My right honourable

friend is vastly white -- right. We will look at all the quality of life

issues, one of them is that it is too difficult for doctors who are

polymers -- partners want to reform that. There are many other things we

could do in terms of improving the picked ability and reliability of

shift patterns, we need the BMA to co-operate with what we set up, and

then we can sort out these problems. At the moment we don't have that

cooperation and why we are not making the progress we want. Can I

say to the Secretary of State that it is because I have very real

anxieties about the impact on patients of the strike involving

emergency services not political opportunities that I signed that

letter. I would urge the Secretary of State even at its 11 hour to

discuss this in a reasonable and rational way. We all have a

responsibility to try and inferred this strike. I agree with that, but

also said to him that if that was the case he has got my phone, he

could have contacted me, it did not need to be Sunday Times which was

the first place that I saw of his proposal and frankly that was not

the way they were genuinely serious about brokering a deal to go about

it. I think we all have a duty to you do everything we can to avert

tomorrow's strike. His proposal to change the government plans to

pilots as he is currently well with this would mean that seven-day care

will be kicked into the longer grass and probably not happen. We have a

responsibility to deliver on promises and that is what going to

do. To my right honourable friend refresh my memory, those who are

going to strike tomorrow and it is not all junior doctors putting

patients lives at risk. Would they be earning more rather than less,

for fewer rather than more hours. Pretty also remind me of other

public sector employee, who gets time and a half for working on a

Saturday morning? My noble friend makes a very important point, the

deal is fair for those doctors. It is higher premium paid for through

the work regular Saturdays than nurses, paramedics, health care

assistance, then fire officers, and anyone else in the public or private

sector of under the new contract. Guess we are bringing down premium

rates for Saturday pay, but we are making sure we compensate that with

an increase in their basic pay. Don't mean that the take-home pay

goes up for 75% of junior doctors. That is a very fair deal and is

designed make sure that they are not out of pocket as he make changes

that are safer for patients and why should we be talking about these

patients -- changes and abstracts. Ended up an implementation is not

the same as having a pilot with an independent evaluation to sex the

fax of this contract. Why will the health of Jerry not... Which will

break the deadlock that we could only have. We have now had eight

studies the last six years six of those eight studies talk about these

innovative studies not commissioned by the government bus have covered

areas like paediatric care, paediatric care, cancer care,

emergency surgery, and a whole range of other areas and that they, six of

those eight studies, has talked about staffing levels and begins

that Susie needs to be investigated. A government that has higher

mentality rates today, whenever responsibility to do something, not

commissioned for the study. May I reiterate my concern that

there appears to have been no balance of junior doctors visit the

click on the question of withdrawal of emergency care, and as the

secretary of state share my fear that if despite his best efforts

people die as the result of this withdrawal of emergency cover, that

is public demand for a legislative change to the sure bet this kid

never happen again will become irresistible? I think the public

will be extremely disappointed that professionals are putting patients

at risk in this way. I think that it is extremely tragic but they are

doing that. I am afraid that I do think that this is crossing a line

in a way that has not before. I think it is totally tragic, and I

support his concerned on that point. In his statement, the secretary of

state said it was in his manifesto. It is about ideology, not the NHS.

In the secretary of state cares about the NHS, could he hear the

will of the House concert the BMA straight after this statement and

negotiate? If by ideology, she means a commitment to make the and eight

is the safest high quality health system in the world, that I would be

guilty of ideology. By the NHS that I want. That means a seven-day NHS,

but we don't have higher mortality rates for people that we can. There

was a tab in the Labour Party would have been prepared to take tough and

difficult decisions. That day has passed. Thank you Mr Speaker. There

are many professions and occupations which require seven-day working,

both in the public and private sector. Given that all but one of

the points of difference between the BMA and the government have been

dissolved, does my right honourable friend agree with me that to take

this drastic strike strike action on the remaining issue of Saturday pay

is wholly unjustified. It is wholly unjustified. The offer on the table

for Saturday pay is extremely generous, and subways more generous

than pretty much that's available to every other professional and the

public or private sector. It is a very extreme step as far as patients

are concerned. What the BMA needs to do is to recognise that this

government is as committed to the NHS as they are, and we do have a

government that wants to live nameless Gleevec lessons at Mid

Staffs, turn around struggling hospitals, the right thing to do is

to sit around the table, negotiate, and talk. That is not what we have

from the BMA. We must not be reflected from taking this difficult

decisions, because in the end of responsibility is to patients. I

recently visit isn't it fine not to pilot this

contract, but not only that burden services of these dedicated people

which will surely decrease patient safety not increase it. What is

devastating to junior Doctor morale is when they are represented by or

organisation that constantly feeds from miss information about the

content of this new contract. The BMA first of all told them that it

was going to mean their pay was cut. Then it ultimate they were going to

be asked to work longer hours. In fact, the reverse is true. I would

say the way that we raise the row -- raise morale. Not refuse to budge as

we saw in February. It is reasonable that registrars to be earning on

average ?52,000 per year, it is rational for junior doctors leaders

to accept that roster ring should be a matter of discussion because there

is a right level or a wrong level. Some of the premium pay for

Saturdays. It seems to me that it would be a good idea of those behind

the BMA negotiators came out in the open and explained in detail, to my

patients of 600 and 49 other MPs of what is the issue from stopping them

of calling off the strengths . But I find is that they don't want

to bring up issues in the new contract because much of what's in a

new contract is actually very good for junior doctors. The fact that

they can't be asked to work six months consecutively which they can

at the moment, the fact that they can be asked to work more than six

long days. -- can't. There are lots of things that are good in this new

contract. That is why be sensible, rational thing to do is to sit down

and discuss this with the government, not to... This morning,

a doctor resigned to fight the contract on the behalf of his

patients in the NHS. I also met with junior doctors over the weekend and

the morale is really low. Does the health secretary believe, ... I will

tell the honourable Lady what is unsafe for patients. It is not

standing up to the BMA when they behave in a totally unreasonable

length with a government that is determined to make NHS care safer.

But the greatest respect to her, because she is due to the House, she

will appreciate that the predecessor Labour governments actually did not

stand up to the BMA, and that is why we are left with many of the

problems we face today. The Health Secretary is doing the right thing

for patients that I welcome the statement. Would he accept that

there is more to be done in contractual terms for the NHS

workforce if the ten clinical standards are to be implemented?

Although he may not wish to reflect on it at this particular point in

time, what does he think can be done to improve contact sport and on

training -- non-trading consultant in the NHS? My honourable friend

speaks wisely from experience. I try to make a point in my statement that

a seven-day NHS is not just about junior doctors, it's about a whole

range of services. Consultants, diagnostic services, general

practice, and as we seek to move towards a seven-day NHS, we will

also be explaining the NHS workforce to make sure that the current

workforce is not bear all the strain by it. This is an opportunity. We

had lots of comments today about morale. I was able to say this, the

way to improve morale for doctors is to get them the stiffest possible

care for patients. -- safest. We want to change that, and you want to

work with the BMA to make that possible. So far, the secretary of

state has not grabbed the opportunity presented from him

across the House with both hands. If patients are at the centre of his

thinking, he would have done so. He has told the House that he has not

done so because he read about it in the Times, rather than getting a

phone call. If the right honourable member agrees to call his mobile and

tell him anything he wants to hear, whisper sweet nothings into his ear,

will he agree to have the conversation and called the check

off? -- strike off. The day that the honourable member is whispering

sweet nothings has never actually happened, particularly since he has

been an opposition it not happened. In terms of doing what it takes, but

we tell him directly. Three years of trying to solve this problem, 75

meetings, 74 concessions, three independent processes, we have been

doing everything we possibly can to solve this problem. What we have is

a very intransigent and difficult junior Doctors committee of the BMA.

They have refused to negotiate sensibly, and in that situation, the

sector has a simple choice, do you move forward or do you give up. When

it comes to patient safety that we are moving forward. Patient safety

is a matter close to my heart. Tomorrow, doctors were shocked that

this check is not about paid or Saturday working, but about six --

patient safety. Will the Secretary of State reassure the House that

there is absolutely no process that this government getting into this

attempt by the doctor's union to hold honourable patients as hostage

in a row over pay. Patients must always come for. She is absolutely

right. -- first. The truth is that being Health Secretary is not easy

for health sector might help the secretaries of any government. --

health secretaries as seven-day NHS is one of the issues. When it comes

to safety, Channel 4 fact check, which is not a known supporter of

the government, has looked at the new government compared to the old

contract and sets the new one is safer. That should be assured that

this is the right thing for the NHS to do and they should work with is

not against us. The secretary of state has is that this is all about

patient safety. The junior doctors by Matt Lee that it is about patient

safety also. Don't believe they don't believe... Can he tell the

House has he done a risk assessment on the imposition of a contract and

the consequences for patient safety of lowering Doctor's morale and

losing doctors from the NHS? Lets gently dealt blue and gently tell

her the fact. It revolves reducing the number of

nights and long days they can work, as we discussed earlier. This is a

safer contract, and the reason that morale is low is because rather than

negotiate sensibly, the BMA has gone for an out right wing. He could have

a negotiated solution a long time ago. That was a big mistake. In that

situation, a Health Secretary has to do with charter patients. That is

what we're doing. I have long found that the BMA is not universally

admired by doctors. Perhaps, the cause of their long history of

putting doctors and just ahead of patients. Will he ensure that he

does not inadvertently drive doctors of arms of the BMA? I have had a

discussion with him about that. I think that the mutual structure is

something that we should be open-minded about. What I would

simply say to him is that when junior doctors go on to the new

contracts, which will happen in stages starting from as August, they

will find it is safer and better. It there are more protectable shift

patterns. It enables them to have a better quality of life, and they

will back Delaet how badly the group represented by the BMA. I am worried

about the potential consequences of the secretary of state having people

believe that if they are ill on the date of strike action there will be

no emergency for them to go to. And if they don't go and there are

consequences, I believe those consequences are the responsibility

of the secretary of state. That he now clear this matter up with the

British public and confirm that there will be accident and emergency

cover on the day of the strikes the sex go-ahead? -- if the strikes go

ahead. That does not mean to say that they will be huge pressure on

hospitals which is why we are urging people only to go to accident and

Emergency if they really need to go. What I would say to him is that the

responsibility for this disruption is the responsibility of the people

who are choosing to withdraw emergency care for the first time in

the history of the NHS. Doctors are amongst the most highly rated rated

of the Public service. Can I ask my right honourable friend to review

the situation with regard to accident and emergency medics? I

would say that A When you are paid a high salary, that comes at

the responsibility of the profession, that is by no matter how

much you disagree with the new contract, it is totally

inappropriate to withdraw emergency care anyway that is going to happen

tomorrow in the next day. That is why I think doctors should be very

carefully about the impact this will have on their status in the country.

The secretary of state said in his statement taking strike action is a

choice. It never feels like a choice at all. The secretary of state could

not answer my question and month ago about how big the provider deficit

would be in the last financial year, it was about ?3 billion. With the

answer my question now. -- Will he answer my question now. What will be

provider deficit be in the next financial year? We are taking

serious action to bring that deficit down. In particular, one of the

things we need to do is to reduce the use of agency staff in order to

do that. I will be something that I think will help the provision of

more full-time staff in the NHS, which I think will be something that

is good for the junior doctor workforce. Can I come in my right

honourable friend for the way that he is -- command...

I wanted to achieve a political outcome rather than a settlement.

Regrettably, there has only been one occasion. In the October before the

election they walked out of talks after extensive action. I think the

most shocking thing of all was the decision of the Junior Doctors

committee to ballot for strike action before they had even been

prepared to sit down and talk to me about what the new contract

involved. That has been at the heart of so many misunderstandings about

this contract, and led to so much disappointment on all sides. I think

if they had sat down and talk to us, they would have discovered we all

want to do the same thing which is a safer seven-day NHS. The secretary

of state tells us he spent over three years on this matter. All I

can say is, three years and he brought us to this unprecedented

state of affairs? Can I gently suggest to him that the junior

doctors are not the problem, he is. My constituents overwhelmingly feel

that he has been irresponsible and intransigent. He needs to get back

to negotiation table and put the people in A and beyond fat first.

-- that first. She is asking me... The answer is I am not. I am the

Health Secretary who had to deal with Mid Staffs it a huge number of

hospitals up and down the country who frankly her party in power did

not do anything to turn around. We put 27 hospitals in to special

measures, was dramatically increased numbers of doctors and nurses and

our hospital awards because we care about a safer NHS. I think the

secretary of state can be criticised in this dispute. My criticism is

being far too jaded generous to junior doctors. -- generous to

junior doctors. As far as I'm concerned, it is an absolute

disgrace to withdraw emergency cover on the basis of what premiums are

paid on a Saturday when much of my constituents that are much poorly

paid goal to work on a Saturday without any premiums whatsoever. No

government should ever given to this industrial action. Will he get a

formed agreement that he will stick to his guns on this particular

issue? I will absolutely give my honourable from that commitment. He

is right to sue the professionals should not be withdrawn commercial

care and pursuance of a pay dispute. It is totally inappropriate. It is

not just me saying that. It is the wrong way to go Way to go about this

dispute. You cannot choose but date of the BG get Bill. We going to have

the health service... I raise with the secretary of health before the

problem with recruitment and retention and Hull and East

Yorkshire. Either they get undertaking from the secretary of

State that if he moves forward with the imposition of a new contract,

and the evidence comes to light that retention and recruitment is going

to be in difficulty, that he will stop the imposition and think again?

We are constantly monitoring what is going to happen with new contacts.

We want to make sure that we get it absolutely right. But I would say to

her is that she's making those pleas to me, that she should talk to the

BMA and say that the way to ensure we this contract is to sit the

government and talk about the way to make it successful, and I refuse to

talk to us. That is what is happening at many hospitals. I

briefly attended a medical conference over the weekend, and the

doctors there said that they were hugely concerned by the impact on

the vast majority of junior doctors who neither wish to strike nor

believe that the contract satisfactory for the reasons given

by my honourable friend. I really urge the BMA to withdraw the threat

of strike action and for the secretary straight the next day to

make it quite clear that he will do, . I am prepared to talk about

anything that could in the future be improved in a contract that is going

to be introduced, and extracontractual things also. In the

moment we don't have that dialogue. That has been the problem. The

imposition of a new contract is something that is the last thing in

the world that we wanted as a government. It was after 75

meetings, a totally exhaustive process. In the end, will be found

is that we had a counterparty that weren't interested in sitting down

and talking. They just wanted a political one. We had to make a

choice about doing the right thing for patients. I wish we did not get

to that point. We need to carry on. The door is always open for further

talk and discussion. The secretary of State is the one person who can

stop the strike. Why won't he now take a step back, engage the

services of specialists and negotiations, remove the

conditionality and address the remaining issues? Proper dialogue

will get a result. Been the last decade, the Labour

government took away medical services from the hospital, now we

have a 20 four sevenths urgent treatment service and also it

doctors out of our service. Does my right honourable friend should the

dismay of my local patients at the BMA are asking junior doctors to go

against their Hippocratic oath? I think many people are deeply upset

that that is happening inside and out the medical profession. We will

continue to invest in local health services. I think that what his

constituents will be upset about is the fact that the pay and conditions

that many of them get for working on the weekends go nowhere near what is

being offered to junior doctors at the moment under the new contract.

In that sense, it is totally disproportionate to withdraw

emergency care. Such an extreme measure, and something that is never

happened before. I welcome the Secretary of State in his answers

today recognising the junior doctors are the backbone of the NHS. In

expressing his willingness to talk about the implementation of the

contract. Those words are great. I urged him to look use actions to

match those words and take the opportunity of a cross party

initiative to pilot this contract. If he does not do that, and he plows

on regardless, he will jeopardise patient safety. I welcome any

genuine attempt to resolve this issue, but others have said they did

boldly describes pretty approach is workable. Others said to him before,

only having pilots with respect to seven day care and new junior doctor

contacts, would mean that we would take too long to deliver key

manifesto promise. Farmers, others, all work across the week and we need

the NHS to work across the week as well. We can't choose which date our

children fostered. It makes absolute sense for the NHS to operate seven

days a week for the sake of patients. It is crucial for the BMA

to join with the government and resolve these well thought out

plans, and I urged the Secretary of State to keep up the good work. I do

think my honourable friend. I think she makes the point very eloquently

that this is a moment of opportunity for the NHS. We have been through

some terrible problems at Mid Staffs and a number of other hospitals

where there are serious issues in the quality of care. Now they're

going on a journey to make the NHS one of the safest health care

systems in the world. That means facing up to these problems, not

stacking them. That is what's going to happen in the time I'm health

sector. The junior doctors that I has spoken with are concerned about

safe staffing levels in working shifts. They asked me to make it

clear to patients into the public, that the team extract days or nine

hour in length and will last from 8am in the morning until 5pm. And

that emergency care will be provided by consultants. The solution is in

the Health Secretary's hand. Withdraw the imposition of this

contract, and get background at the negotiating table. As I have said

many times, were we to do that we would be given the BT Beth Cobden

BMA a veto. -- BMA a veto. We are increasing staffing levels in

the NHS to deal with the extra pressures. With respect to

unworkable working shifts, maybe she would go and tell the BMA to sit

around the table and talk to their local trust management so we can get

those working shifts to work. The way to sort out the problems is to

sit down and discuss them. Pull the secretary of state join me in

thanking the consultants that will be working extra hours to guarantee

patient cover as they can. Doesn't the recent leak of e-mails show that

they utterly reject any compromise and that any offer at this stage is

simply not a serious offer? She is absolutely right. I want to think

her for what she said about consultants in her local trust, and

up-and-coming country, and nurses and paramedics in many other people

who'll be working to keep the public safe. I salute all of them. She is

absolutely right. Those e-mails show that junior doctors know that had

they been prepared to negotiate on Saturday pay they would not have had

and impose contract. It was in their hands to avoid this outcome. They

chose not to do that. They wanted war. That was a totally

irresponsible thing to do. They need to recognise that the way that we

will build a safer NHS is by sitting around and talking to the government

that wants to create it. Can I ask why he suspects the motives of his

former ministerial colleague? Why has he taken to Twitter to accuse

him of political opportunism? What I actually would say is that my

honourable friend who is the one conservative who signed up to that

proposal, when he was health Minister was actually proposing a

much tougher contract on junior doctors in the contract that we

ended up introducing. It's a very interesting U-turn on his parts to

do that. To take pressure off GPs, A units, and junior doctors, can I

urge my right honourable friend to make full use of the pharmacy that

were to make sure that they can play their full part in a seven-day

National Health Service. No health statement will be complete without a

mention by my honourable friend of the important role in pharmacy

template and solvent absolutely any problem the NHS faces, and once

again I commend his excellent contribution.

The government aspirations, we cannot run the health service that

any day of the week without doctors willing to do it. They're angry, the

feeling no choice, this is not about the BMA. There's general strength of

feeling about people have been treated, it is chaired by nurses,

and consultants. That is why they're winning -- willing to come up with

it. What people want to know, as if there's one issue left to say, why

the imposition of necessary? Why can't it be taken off the table,

negotiations can begin, and if I can be avoided? Because, on that one

issue, the Saturday paper, the BMA said in writing last November that

they would negotiate on it. They tore up the agreement, and said they

were prepared to admit that they would negotiate on it. They toured

the agreement, and said they were prepared to go shake one iota. Had

stuck to their word, we would have had a strike today. The government

has been totally reasonable and fair throughout the beat and by the BMA

have not it is their choice to call the strikes, they should think again

because this is the wrong thing for patients, and the wrong thing for

the NHS. Many of our constituents as were concerned, and angry that some

of the most vulnerable people in our society old, and young, and sick, or

being put at risk by about what they see as some of the most advantaged

people here in society. As I write I will friend agree, but this will do

the repetition harm to the medical looked profession, and it will

damage the morale? I totally agree with my right old friend. Medicine

is a profession, it is very important values attached to it. Do

no harm. It is a step too far to say that the dispute with of more pay on

a Saturday, I think it is the wrong call for medical profession when the

alternative on the table is a sit down and talk with the government

wants to work with the medical profession to provide safe care. A

doctor who is a constituent but also on the board that you may 70,014

that he became politicized because he once crashed a car due to the

grueling hours of a junior doctor. Does my right honourable friend

agreed me, with all of these revisions of what is coming forward

of hours, should they think of the past? I totally agree with that.

Which since then junior doctors hours of Henry's dearest, and under

this contract, we are reducing the maximum hour they are asked to work.

This new agreement, should be something that every document

welcomes. Because unfortunately, the BMA have not chosen this despite

exhaustive efforts we are left with the choice is whether to proceed our

parents or whether we give up. I think elected governments should

never give up on manifesto promises. Junior doctors, went into medicine

to save lives, not to place them at risk. With my right honourable

friend agreed me that by striking, they're putting people at risk. Can

you confirm, but the position would be if the contracts would lapse what

the effect of be on the National Health Service? I do agree that the

strikes are putting patients at risk, what happened and we just that

the current contract to roll over? The answer is we would not have made

progress toward safer seven-day NHS. It is something that will give

enormous benefit to his constituency in mind. I wondered the Secretary of

State would appeal directly to junior doctors to ignore the

militant BMA and too drunk to work tomorrow to acknowledge the

government has met with the BMA in over 70 times, with the negotiation

table, and my constituencies get seven days a week, that they

deserve. He speaks wisely I say this to every junior doctor. What you

want from me and HS, safe service, safe care for patients, across every

day of the week, is what we want as well. This is the government is

committed to the HS. We are putting our money where our mouth is, we

will sit down with medical fashion and make this work for patients. My

understanding is correct? On the one hand the BMA wants time and a half

for a Saturday, on the other her Majesty public government is

offering time and a half on Saturday and a little bit on Sunday, five

o'clock in the afternoon to those who have worked more than one for

Saturdays. Time and a half between nine o'clock and midnight. My

constituencies had submitted for the union doctors, but totally opposed

with withdrawal of life saving emergency care, especially when the

difference between their position in the government is so narrow? My

Honorable friend speaks wisely as ever on this. We have moved a long

way to meet the BMA's biggest concerns which should still be

premium pay on Saturdays for doctors who work regularly on weekends. This

is a good deal, better than anyone else and public sector. And that's

why we think the resulting what to do would be to accept this deal, and

not to these wholly unnecessary strikes. I know my friend, the

dispute over pay the cannot justify lack of emergency cover. We

confirmed that after the government of the new government comes in --

contract. ... He is quite right to point out that this seven-day is not

about junior doctors, it is about support services for junior doctors.

Something that is not just benefiting the patients, it is

rewarding for them. It is frustrating for doctors to not get

by quickly because it is a weakened. We want to solve that, better

patients better doctors. Whatever the objections to this contract, a

person still he held, removing emergency services is not on the

lips of options. On the issue of the Saturday pay, can I ask him to bring

clarity to this. Will doctors who work regular Saturdays, more than

one and four, continue to receive a pay upgrade? Yes they will, and that

is the main outstanding issue as small as issues that was not

resolved and he went a very long way to make that the BMA work. We are

reducing premium rates for the Saturday, but we're making up for it

for increase in basic pay, and as a bee that hospitals can roster more

docs doctors on weekends. They will get premium pay for extra work. It

is a good pick for doctors, it is a good thing for patients. Order.

Statement. Minister of State, thank you Madam Deputy Speaker with your

permission I would like to make a short statement update of the House

following the announcement this morning the British home store has

filed for administration is obviously a very difficult time for

all of the employees. Between eight and a half thousand, many may be

11,000 working there. Of course we bear in mind that it is also a

difficult time for the many creditors who will be concerned,

especially those with small businesses.

Be HS hundred and 64 stores worldwide. I recognise the consumer

trends are trained team, moving away from high street shopping and

increasingly towards online retail channel which continues to see the

retail wind scale landscape change. It has been particularly troubling

for BHS workers. There is a clear message today. That BHS is still

open for business as now planned for immediate redundancy and