years one and two, the pay is years one and two, the pay increases. when we look at band five, around year eight, you can see the pay is around 60,000, with extras to take it to almost 80,000. that is how the pay compares in england. this is what they want. this figure is less seen as a realistic demand, but more as a plea for the government to come to the negotiating table, but it seems to have had the opposite effect. and you can see this update has come into the newsroom in the past hour quoting a downing street spokesperson saying that the 35% pay demand must be abandoned before the government will come to the table, describing that figure as unreasonable and not affordable for the british taxpayer. the spokesperson also says that the strikes must be called off because —— before the government will negotiate.

this is the impact that we will see as a result of those strikes. at least a quarter of a million appointments and operations affected, but that number could be higher. it could be as high as 350,000 appointments affected. —— 250,000 appointments. let's look at the uk in terms of doctors and nurses compared to other 0ecd nations. so you have austria at the top and the uk at the bottom. when we look at the number of doctors and nurses, compared to western europe. of course, this is the uk as a of course, this is the uk as a whole, notjust england. but it paints the picture with the uk is the bottom here, also with nurses as the bottom here, also with nurses as the bottom. we can see no way very high at the top of both lists there. so the uk is already dealing with a shortage when compared to western european nations. —— we can see norway. we have also had this morning, from 2022, the who said it described the situation as a ticking

time bomb, saying that without immediate action, the workforce gaps in the european region could spell disaster. we also know this. this is from the european federation of public service unions, and it says that there is a 1 million shortage of health care workers. so, the situation is not all rosy across europe too. and they have also been strikes there. so this is a situation that we could see merit, notjust situation that we could see merit, not just an situation that we could see merit, notjust an element, but situation that we could see merit, not just an element, but across situation that we could see merit, notjust an element, but across the uk and across the continent. —— that we could see it merited. lets uk and across the continent. -- that we could see it merited.— we could see it merited. lets go back to trafalgar _ we could see it merited. lets go back to trafalgar square, - we could see it merited. lets go back to trafalgar square, where | we could see it merited. lets go - back to trafalgar square, where that rally is taking place. you back to trafalgar square, where that rally is taking place.— rally is taking place. you might be u . rally is taking place. you might be u- to rally is taking place. you might be up to here — rally is taking place. you might be up to here behind _ rally is taking place. you might be up to here behind is _ rally is taking place. you might be up to here behind is that - rally is taking place. you might be up to here behind is that a - rally is taking place. you might be| up to here behind is that a number of speakers at the moment are talking about why they are here today. we have heard the 35% figure used a lot. there has been chanting of full pay restoration. i won't sing it for you, but we have had plenty of chanting. they have also

been representatives of other unions, such as the teacher's union. so there is that cross union support for thejunior so there is that cross union support for the junior doctors here, so there is that cross union support for thejunior doctors here, and for the junior doctors here, and they for thejunior doctors here, and they are probably in their thousands at the moment. i have two of them with me, rob and gabby, ofjunior doctors. tell me why it is important for you to be had today. it is important — for you to be had today. it is important because _ for you to be had today. it is important because i - for you to be had today. it is important because i worry that without — important because i worry that without getting an improvement in the pay— without getting an improvement in the pay and working conditions, that there _ the pay and working conditions, that there wont— the pay and working conditions, that there won't be doctors left in the uk, that— there won't be doctors left in the uk, that people will move away to greener— uk, that people will move away to greener pastures. and that really concems— greener pastures. and that really concerns me. we have seen it on the wards _ concerns me. we have seen it on the wards it _ concerns me. we have seen it on the wards it is _ concerns me. we have seen it on the wards. it is understaffed and under stretched — wards. it is understaffed and under stretched. we need everyone we can. gabby, _ stretched. we need everyone we can. gabby, in _ stretched. we need everyone we can. gabby, in that sense, people going abroad is without the right to many, isn't as tantamount to halting the government hostage, bribing the government hostage, bribing the government to give them the money? i don't think so. i think people have spent _ don't think so. i think people have spent a _ don't think so. i think people have spent a lot— don't think so. i think people have spent a lot of— don't think so. i think people have spent a lot of time _ don't think so. i think people have spent a lot of time in— don't think so. i think people have spent a lot of time in their- don't think so. i think people have spent a lot of time in their life - spent a lot of time in their life training — spent a lot of time in their life training to _ spent a lot of time in their life training to do _ spent a lot of time in their life training to do what _ spent a lot of time in their life training to do what they- spent a lot of time in their life training to do what they wantl spent a lot of time in their life i training to do what they want to spent a lot of time in their life - training to do what they want to do. they want— training to do what they want to do. they want to — training to do what they want to do. they want to spend _ training to do what they want to do. they want to spend close _ training to do what they want to do. they want to spend close to - training to do what they want to do. they want to spend close to familyl they want to spend close to family and friends — they want to spend close to family and friends as _ they want to spend close to family and friends as much _ they want to spend close to family and friends as much as _ they want to spend close to family and friends as much as possible. l they want to spend close to family and friends as much as possible. i| and friends as much as possible. i

don't _ and friends as much as possible. i don't think— and friends as much as possible. i don't think it _ and friends as much as possible. i don't think it is — and friends as much as possible. i don't think it is making _ and friends as much as possible. i don't think it is making the - don't think it is making the government— don't think it is making the government to _ don't think it is making the government to do - don't think it is making the government to do it, - don't think it is making the government to do it, but. don't think it is making the - government to do it, but telling what _ government to do it, but telling what we — government to do it, but telling what we have _ government to do it, but telling what we have seen _ government to do it, but telling what we have seen inevitably i what we have seen inevitably happening _ what we have seen inevitably happening. when _ what we have seen inevitably happening. when we - what we have seen inevitably| happening. when we started, what we have seen inevitably i happening. when we started, i what we have seen inevitably - happening. when we started, i didn't know anybody — happening. when we started, i didn't know anybody who _ happening. when we started, i didn't know anybody who had _ happening. when we started, i didn't know anybody who had left _ happening. when we started, i didn't| know anybody who had left medicine, and now _ know anybody who had left medicine, and now i_ know anybody who had left medicine, and now i know — know anybody who had left medicine, and now i know countless _ know anybody who had left medicine, and now i know countless people - know anybody who had left medicine, and now i know countless people who have left _ and now i know countless people who have left medicine. _ and now i know countless people who have left medicine. it _ and now i know countless people who have left medicine. it is _ and now i know countless people who have left medicine. it is sad - and now i know countless people who have left medicine. it is sad to- and now i know countless people who have left medicine. it is sad to see i have left medicine. it is sad to see it like _ have left medicine. it is sad to see it like that, — have left medicine. it is sad to see it like that, we _ have left medicine. it is sad to see it like that, we don't _ have left medicine. it is sad to see it like that, we don't want - have left medicine. it is sad to see it like that, we don't want to - it like that, we don't want to strike, — it like that, we don't want to strike, but— it like that, we don't want to strike, but we _ it like that, we don't want to strike, but we don't - it like that, we don't want to strike, but we don't feel - it like that, we don't want to strike, but we don't feel we i it like that, we don't want to - strike, but we don't feel we have a choice _ strike, but we don't feel we have a choice. ., ., ., ., , choice. tell me more about that rob, ou have choice. tell me more about that rob, you have no — choice. tell me more about that rob, you have no choice, _ choice. tell me more about that rob, you have no choice, why _ choice. tell me more about that rob, you have no choice, why not? - you have no choice, why not? essentially, the nhs is a monopoly embloyer_ essentially, the nhs is a monopoly employer forjunior doctors, so we employer for junior doctors, so we can't _ employer for junior doctors, so we can't go _ employer forjunior doctors, so we can't go anywhere else but emigrate. we can't _ can't go anywhere else but emigrate. we can't get anotherjob. nobody wants— we can't get anotherjob. nobody wants to — we can't get anotherjob. nobody wants to see a junior doctor arriving, _ wants to see a junior doctor arriving, nobody wants to see as anywhere — arriving, nobody wants to see as anywhere except in the nhs. so we are a _ anywhere except in the nhs. so we are a bit— anywhere except in the nhs. so we are a bit stuck. we can't go anywhere _ are a bit stuck. we can't go anywhere else, and i think that feels _ anywhere else, and i think that feels really sad to work in a system where _ feels really sad to work in a system where we _ feels really sad to work in a system where we can't do anything else. we started _ where we can't do anything else. we started our— where we can't do anything else. we started ourjourney for us in 2005. and you _ started ourjourney for us in 2005. and you have that on your placard, don't you? 2005 we had university fees. take me through my letter is important. i5.

fees. take me through my letter is imortant. , ., , fees. take me through my letter is imortant. , .,, , fees. take me through my letter is imortant. , ., , , ., fees. take me through my letter is imortant. , , ., , ., fees. take me through my letter is imortant. , , ., ., important. is, it has been a year on our important. is, it has been a year on your degradation _ important. is, it has been a year on your degradation when _ important. is, it has been a year on your degradation when working. - important. is, it has been a year on| your degradation when working. we started _ your degradation when working. we started in_ your degradation when working. we started in 2005, university fees got introduced — started in 2005, university fees got introduced. £9,000 was quite expensive. and then, since 2010, we have had _ expensive. and then, since 2010, we have had a _ expensive. and then, since 2010, we have had a pay freeze. each year, it has only— have had a pay freeze. each year, it has only been a few percent, a few percent. _ has only been a few percent, a few percent, but it starts to really add up. percent, but it starts to really add up~ then, — percent, but it starts to really add up. then, we had the pandemic, and obviously. _ up. then, we had the pandemic, and obviously, the government was short of money— obviously, the government was short of money at — obviously, the government was short of money at the time. but we are now into 2023, _ of money at the time. but we are now into 2023, and we still haven't seen our bay— into 2023, and we still haven't seen our pay rise — into 2023, and we still haven't seen our pay rise. the uk is at 7% this year~ _ our pay rise. the uk is at 7% this year~ and — our pay rise. the uk is at 7% this year. and junior doctors are at 2%. but the _ year. and junior doctors are at 2%. but the government says that 35%, that the bma once, is completely unrealistic. and they have said that they are not prepared to sit down, if 35% is the first offer the bma is putting forward. in if 35% is the first offer the bma is putting forward-— putting forward. in 2016, jeremy hunt, the now— putting forward. in 2016, jeremy hunt, the now chancellor, - putting forward. in 2016, jeremy hunt, the now chancellor, was l putting forward. in 2016, jeremy| hunt, the now chancellor, was in charge _ hunt, the now chancellor, was in charge of— hunt, the now chancellor, was in charge of the strikes there. and he didn't— charge of the strikes there. and he didn't increase pay, he hasn't increased _ didn't increase pay, he hasn't increased pay since then. the 35%

has gone — increased pay since then. the 35% has gone over the last ten, 15 years — has gone over the last ten, 15 years. they haven't made any changes _ years. they haven't made any changes. if they had increased pay increment— changes. if they had increased pay increment of the year on year by a few percent, then they wouldn't have this backlog to pay. this is a problem _ this backlog to pay. this is a problem of their own making. they 'ust problem of their own making. they just need _ problem of their own making. they just need to address it. because we are at— just need to address it. because we are at a _ just need to address it. because we are at a breaking point, we don't want _ are at a breaking point, we don't want to— are at a breaking point, we don't want to be — are at a breaking point, we don't want to be on strike today. we don't want to be on strike today. we don't want to— want to be on strike today. we don't want to be _ want to be on strike today. we don't want to be here, we want to be in the hospital helping patients. and we can't. — the hospital helping patients. and we can't, because it cost us more to work, _ we can't, because it cost us more to work. and _ we can't, because it cost us more to work. and bay— we can't, because it cost us more to work, and pay for childcare when we are doing _ work, and pay for childcare when we are doing a — work, and pay for childcare when we are doing a night shift and working that weekend, then it does when we own money — that weekend, then it does when we own money. and that can't work. that won't _ own money. and that can't work. that won't work _ own money. and that can't work. that won't work l — own money. and that can't work. that won't work-— won't work. i think the question, gabby that _ won't work. i think the question, gabby that some _ won't work. i think the question, gabby that some people - won't work. i think the question, gabby that some people have, i won't work. i think the question, j gabby that some people have, is won't work. i think the question, - gabby that some people have, is that they are on board with what you are saying, but there are people that have been waiting for months for appointments, cancelled appointments, cancelled appointments, and they have been cancelled this week. goodness knows when it will be rescheduled. what is your message to them? i when it will be rescheduled. what is your message to them?— when it will be rescheduled. what is your message to them? i agree and i think that is — your message to them? i agree and i think that is horrendous. _ your message to them? i agree and i think that is horrendous. but - your message to them? i agree and i think that is horrendous. but at - your message to them? i agree and i think that is horrendous. but at the l think that is horrendous. but at the same _ think that is horrendous. but at the same time. — think that is horrendous. but at the same time. if— think that is horrendous. but at the same time, if losing _ think that is horrendous. but at the same time, if losing staff, - think that is horrendous. but at the same time, if losing staff, the - same time, if losing staff, the waiting — same time, if losing staff, the waiting list— same time, if losing staff, the waiting list will— same time, if losing staff, the waiting list will get _ same time, if losing staff, the waiting list will get worse - same time, if losing staff, the waiting list will get worse and| waiting list will get worse and worse — waiting list will get worse and worse you _

waiting list will get worse and worse. you have _ waiting list will get worse and worse. you have to _ waiting list will get worse and worse. you have to give - waiting list will get worse and worse. you have to give staff| waiting list will get worse and . worse. you have to give staff an incentive — worse. you have to give staff an incentive to _ worse. you have to give staff an incentive to keep _ worse. you have to give staff an incentive to keep going - worse. you have to give staff an incentive to keep going on - worse. you have to give staff an incentive to keep going on and i worse. you have to give staff an - incentive to keep going on and doing the doing _ incentive to keep going on and doing the doing the — incentive to keep going on and doing the doing the job _ incentive to keep going on and doing the doing the job the _ incentive to keep going on and doing the doing the job the best— incentive to keep going on and doing the doing the job the best they - incentive to keep going on and doing the doing the job the best they can. i the doing the job the best they can. if the doing the job the best they can. if you _ the doing the job the best they can. if you lose _ the doing the job the best they can. if you lose that. _ the doing the job the best they can. if you lose that, that _ the doing the job the best they can. if you lose that, that is— the doing the job the best they can. if you lose that, that is only - the doing the job the best they can. if you lose that, that is only going l if you lose that, that is only going to get— if you lose that, that is only going to get worse _ if you lose that, that is only going to get worse it _ if you lose that, that is only going to get worse. it affects _ if you lose that, that is only going to get worse. it affects us - if you lose that, that is only going to get worse. it affects us and - if you lose that, that is only goingj to get worse. it affects us and our families— to get worse. it affects us and our families also _ to get worse. it affects us and our families also. we _ to get worse. it affects us and our families also. we don't _ to get worse. it affects us and our families also. we don't take - to get worse. it affects us and our families also. we don't take this i families also. we don't take this lightly — families also. we don't take this lightly -- — families also. we don't take this lightly -- we _ families also. we don't take this lightly. —— we don't— families also. we don't take this lightly. —— we don't take - families also. we don't take this lightly. —— we don't take this- lightly. —— we don't take this lightly — lightly. -- we don't take this lirhtl. ., , . ., lightly. -- we don't take this lightly. thanks very much. you have the whole family _ lightly. thanks very much. you have the whole family there. _ lightly. thanks very much. you have the whole family there. it _ lightly. thanks very much. you have the whole family there. it is - lightly. thanks very much. you have the whole family there. it is a - the whole family there. it is a common misconception thatjunior common misconception that junior doctors common misconception thatjunior doctors are young, freshfaced graduates, fresh out of university. that is not the case. rob and gabby have more than 20 years of expense between them. it is what that more than 20% of the medical records in england are made up ofjunior doctors. we heard from the man in charge of nhs england, who says that the strike will bring unparalleled levels of disruption for the nhs this week, largely due to the huge number of appointments that have had to be cancelled, and also the fact that other staff are having to be drafted in to prioritise emergency care. it is what is that the government are at loggerheads, they are stuck on this dispute with the bma, and that acas, an independent

body may have to be brought in as they were in 2016, to help resolve they were in 2016, to help resolve the situation.— they were in 2016, to help resolve the situation. thank you very much. now, the situation. thank you very much. now. let's — the situation. thank you very much. now. let's talk _ the situation. thank you very much. now, let's talk to _ the situation. thank you very much. now, let's talk to karen _ the situation. thank you very much. now, let's talk to karen salomon, l the situation. thank you very much. now, let's talk to karen salomon, aj now, let's talk to karen salomon, a junior doctor who was on strike today, joining us from leicester, he is also the co—chair of the junior doctors union committee. thank you for being with us. why are you striking today?— for being with us. why are you striking today? hello. i'm striking today because — striking today? hello. i'm striking today because i _ striking today? hello. i'm striking today because i really _ striking today? hello. i'm striking today because i really feel- today because i really feel passionately about protecting our nhs. the nhs is thejewel in the british crown, and without it, a lot of us would suffer. a private nhs will not work. it is too expensive for our population, and you won't get as good a quality service as you get as good a quality service as you get with the nhs. how do you stop that? it is by trying to retain the staff that you already have. but at the moment, they are finding it financially unviable to work in the

nhs, so they are either having to leave the country, or they are having to go into a different field altogether. having to go into a different field altoaether. ~ ., ., ,., having to go into a different field altoaether. . ., ., , ., altogether. what about you personally? _ altogether. what about you personally? take _ altogether. what about you personally? take us- altogether. what about you | personally? take us through altogether. what about you - personally? take us through what a shift looks like for you. and what your concerns are based on your own experiences. 501 your concerns are based on your own experiences-— your concerns are based on your own experiences. so i am an anaesthetist by training. — experiences. so i am an anaesthetist by training. and _ experiences. so i am an anaesthetist by training. and l— experiences. so i am an anaesthetist by training, and i love _ experiences. so i am an anaesthetist by training, and i love my _ experiences. so i am an anaesthetist by training, and i love my job. - experiences. so i am an anaesthetist by training, and i love my job. i- by training, and i love myjob. i enjoy going to work. so this is very hard for me to strike. 0n enjoy going to work. so this is very hard for me to strike. on a normal day, i am a senior registrar, which means i have to cover a multitude of areas. i am the most senior anaesthetist over the night. so, i will tend to be covering emergency departments, any children who have swallowed coins, any airway emergencies or airway burns, any head injuries that need to be transferred to a specialist centre. i also cover the maternity unit. i

support my other colleagues who are covering it. so if they need another theatre, or if it is a complex case, i will go and support that. but i also support by theatre colleague, he was operating on emergency theatres. so as i say, it is a varied role. but it is also a stressful role. and it is made more stressful role. and it is made more stressful by the fact there are huge gaps in the rotor. they are constantly having to be false by existing staff. and yes, obviously doing that adds extra, but that adds to the tiredness, the burn—out, and takes away from the time where you should be resting. this is, at the time, doctors unfortunately make mistakes. and a mistake in a job unfortunately costs lives. ida mistakes. and a mistake in a 'ob unfortunately costs lives. no may be man who unfortunately costs lives. no may be many who supervise _ unfortunately costs lives. no may be many who supervise and _ unfortunately costs lives. no may be many who supervise and support - unfortunately costs lives. no may be| many who supervise and support your action, but how does it make you feel when the bma says they can't guarantee that patients lives will not be put at risk due to this industrial action?

not be put at risk due to this industrialaction? i not be put at risk due to this industrial action? i personally disa . ree industrial action? i personally disagree with _ industrial action? i personally disagree with that. _ industrial action? i personally disagree with that. our- industrial action? i personally - disagree with that. our consultant body have been fantastic in their support. they have been one hind us —— behind us 100%. they are ensuring everything remains as safe as it would be on any other day. emergency care and other things are still being done. anyone who needs any of these things must not delay, and must go to the hospital. 0ur consultant body is there to cover for us. that is as safe as it will be, because you have the very best looking after you. the be, because you have the very best looking after you.— looking after you. the health secretary _ looking after you. the health secretary said _ looking after you. the health secretary said that _ looking after you. the health secretary said that the - looking after you. the health| secretary said that the timing looking after you. the health i secretary said that the timing is regrettable, steve barclay, and he also accused the bma of putting patients at greater risk by not agreeing exemptions for services such as cancer care. we have heard from people who have had their appointments and operations that they are desperately waiting for,

for months or years, they have had them cancelled. they don't know when they will have them. it is back desperate for them, isn't it? i can only supervise _ desperate for them, isn't it? i can only supervise and _ desperate for them, isn't it? i can only supervise and apologise for them. they should not be caught in them. they should not be caught in the middle of this. but i am afraid that the onus is on the health secretary. he needs to take this matter seriously. we have had 15 years of pay cuts. essentially, real—time pay cuts. we have had junior doctors contract imposed on us a few years ago. we were thrown into the face of a pandemic, where we had to work with lack of equipment to safeguard our own health. but yet, we willingly and happily put ourselves out of harms way to protect the patients and the public. and on top of that, we have been asking to speak to him and negotiate, for the last six to eight months. he has consistently refused to get around the table weathers. 0n

to get around the table weathers. on top of that, when he does deem it necessary to have a chat, there are these ridiculous preconditions. i can't speak for the bma, because these ridiculous preconditions. i can't speakfor the bma, because i don't represent them, i represent the hospital doctors union, and what we would like is for the government to acknowledge that there has been pay erosion, and to get around the negotiating table. we have offered them many opportunities to get around the table, and as with all negotiations, we both need to come out of this with a win. so, the how, how much and how fast can come through negotiations. we need to get round the table to discuss these. the more he delays, unfortunately, the worse the patient�*s experience is going to get, and that will be down to the government, not on us. we are open to negotiations as soon as he is able to come to us without

any preconditions. you as he is able to come to us without any preconditions.— any preconditions. you are open to negotiations. _ any preconditions. you are open to negotiations, you _ any preconditions. you are open to negotiations, you say _ any preconditions. you are open to negotiations, you say that - any preconditions. you are open to negotiations, you say that you - any preconditions. you are open tol negotiations, you say that you don't were presented bma, you represent thejunior were presented bma, you represent the junior doctor committee —— you don't represent the bma. is this to high of a starting point at 35%? should bma be coming down. you don't speakfor them, but should bma be coming down. you don't speak for them, but you are out on strike as a junior doctor. is your opinion perhaps, that this is to entrench it? —— to intransigence. i don't think so. we are not demanding 35%. how in ourfast, we have pitched a point similar to the bma or 35%. pitched a point similar to the bma or35%. however, we pitched a point similar to the bma or 35%. however, we appreciate that will be part of a larger deal potentially. all of this can come out through negotiations. the important thing now is to get around the table and so meaningful will to resolve this dispute.—

the table and so meaningful will to resolve this dispute. thank you very much for being _ resolve this dispute. thank you very much for being with _ resolve this dispute. thank you very much for being with us. _ resolve this dispute. thank you very much for being with us. this - resolve this dispute. thank you very much for being with us. this is - resolve this dispute. thank you very much for being with us. this is the i much for being with us. this is the scene live at trafalgar square, where we are keeping track of developments. thousands of people there joining that strike action with their placards in support of those tens of thousands ofjunior doctors out on strike today. let's get more on the government's reaction to the strikes. defining the choice of the union as regrettable, here is the health secretary steve barclay. i deeply recret secretary steve barclay. i deeply re . ret the secretary steve barclay. i deeply regret the strikes, _ secretary steve barclay. i deeply regret the strikes, and _ secretary steve barclay. i deeply regret the strikes, and in - particular the timing, coming straight after easter. the fact that the bma junior doctors have asked their members not to tell nhs managers whether they intended to go on strike or not, making contingency planning more difficult, and also their refusal to agree any national exemptions. other health unions like the royal college of nurses agreed national exemptions, particularly for cancer patients, so that those patients were not impacted. the junior doctors committee has

refused any national exemptions, and obviously, that puts patients at greater risk. but we are working very hard to mitigate those impacts. i had a call with nhs england yesterday, looking at the contingency measures in place. i want to thank people across the nhs, in particular, the nurses, consultants and many stuff you are working to mitigate the impacts of the strikes. a huge amount of effort is going into mitigate the impact of the strikes, to make sure that the emergency services are there. the message is there that the nhs will be there to respond to emergency calls, but to be mindful of the stress they are putting on the nhs. a huge amount of effort has gone into making a contingency plan, given the impact of the strikes. but clearly these will have an impact on patients, and that is regrettable. the government has shown that it is

willing to listen, to engage going into talks. we have had those talks with other unions, with the agenda for change stuff, we have a recommendation from the nhs staff council to their members, based on those meaningful and constructive discussions that we had. we also listen to doctors in terms of pension changes, and the chancellor announced those pension changes at the budget. so the government has engaged constructively. my door is open, and we remain willing to engage constructively with the junior doctors. but clearly, a demand of 35%, which would involve somejunior demand of 35%, which would involve some junior doctors receiving demand of 35%, which would involve somejunior doctors receiving over some junior doctors receiving over £25,000 somejunior doctors receiving over £25,000 more in terms of their basic pay is not reasonable to your viewers, to those who have to balance the wider issues of the economy, in terms of getting inflation down, alongside recognising the very real pressures that the nhs and junior doctors have been under, not least from the pandemic. been under, not least from the pandemic-— been under, not least from the andemic. ., ., , , pandemic. the labour party responded to the government _ pandemic. the labour party responded to the government saying _ pandemic. the labour party responded to the government saying that - pandemic. the labour party responded to the government saying that there i to the government saying that there has not been any significant

improvement in peoples lives while people don't like the conservatives have been in office. here is the chancellor of the exchequer. the labour government were the ones who brought in the national health service in 19118. it is brought in the national health service in 1948. it is incredibly important _ service in 1948. it is incredibly important to — service in 1948. it is incredibly important to have _ service in 1948. it is incredibly important to have a _ service in 1948. it is incredibly important to have a health - service in 1948. it is incredibly - important to have a health service thatis important to have a health service that is free at the point of need, when you need it most. but this conservative government has been running our public services, whether it is our schools, our criminal justice system, or a health service into the ground. the question that people are asking is, of family better off then before the conservatives came into governments, and are our public services working better than when the conservatives came into govan? and as with anything else, the answer to those questions is no. —— came into

government. i questions is no. -- came into government-— questions is no. -- came into government. i would like to start with the point — government. i would like to start with the point that _ government. i would like to start with the point that rachel- government. i would like to start| with the point that rachel reeves made, accusing the tories of running our public services into the ground, particularly the nhs. what is your assessment as a researcher into public policy of what has happened to the nhs since the tories have beenin to the nhs since the tories have been in power? it is to the nhs since the tories have been in power?— to the nhs since the tories have been in power? it is the nhs and ublic been in power? it is the nhs and public services _ been in power? it is the nhs and public services more _ been in power? it is the nhs and public services more broadly - been in power? it is the nhs and public services more broadly that i've gone through a really difficult ten to 15 years. and particularly during those first ten years after the financial crisis. those were the austerity years. there was active, deliberate government policy to reduce spending on public services. that is the choice that was made. it brought spending down. the consequence of that is that the consensus now, catastrophic. it has affected peoples life chances. it has affected peoples access to health and social care. it is having pernicious effects on our economy.

it felt like the wrong choice. there is a broad economic consensus now that you grow the economy in your country, you need good, high functioning public services. today, in britain, the problem is we don't have that. so there is a big rebuilding project for the government, to revitalise our public services, including the nhs, our biggest public service. and services, including the nhs, our biggest public service.— biggest public service. and what about this 35%, _ biggest public service. and what about this 35%, you _ biggest public service. and what about this 35%, you are - biggest public service. and what about this 35%, you are a - biggest public service. and what about this 35%, you are a junior| about this 35%, you are a junior doctor? is that a reasonable demand? i am not a union representative. i am not an industrial disputes negotiator. but am not an industrial disputes negotiator-— am not an industrial disputes neaotiator. ., ., ., negotiator. but you are a 'unior doctor, negotiator. but you are a 'unior doctor. and i negotiator. but you are a 'unior doctor, and you i negotiator. but you are a 'unior doctor, and you have h negotiator. but you are a junior doctor, and you have seen - negotiator. but you are a junior doctor, and you have seen lots| negotiator. but you are a junior l doctor, and you have seen lots of colleagues there on the front line, who have been critical about their pay, about their conditions, and about a number of people who are leaving the nhs. but it is a big number. the government say they just can't meet it. number. the government say they 'ust can't meet it— can't meet it. there has been the transformation _ can't meet it. there has been the transformation of _ can't meet it. there has been the transformation of what _ can't meet it. there has been the transformation of what it - can't meet it. there has been the transformation of what it means. can't meet it. there has been the. transformation of what it means to be a doctor in this country during the past 15 years. you are being

asked to do more and more, with less and less. junior doctors have experienced one of the steepest pay cuts of any profession in this country. at the same time, they are being asked to look after more and more patients bought less and less money. at some point, thatjust as dissatisfaction will express itself. that is what we have seen this week. people are saying enough is enough, we need a new pay deal. he was also seen it through the exodus ofjunior doctors to places like australia and canada. that should be setting off alarm bells. the question for this government is where does it need to set pay to bring down nhs waiting lists. they admit to set one of its top priority is to bring down nhs waiting list. so to do that, there are hundred and 30,000 vacancies, onceit are hundred and 30,000 vacancies, once it worked that out, there needs to sit down an offer that to the bma. it is obviously higher than where it is right now. it may be ——

it may not be as high as 35%. that is busily a tactical choice from the union. they have said they may be willing to listen to opening offer. the government needs to see what that will look like. it managed to do that with the nursing union. it doesn't have the same relationship with the doctor's union. i cancel both sides to sit down and come up with a agreement.— with a agreement. thank you for bein: with a agreement. thank you for being with _ with a agreement. thank you for being with us. _ with a agreement. thank you for being with us. a _ with a agreement. thank you for being with us. a reporter - with a agreement. thank you for being with us. a reporter nikki l with a agreement. thank you for| being with us. a reporter nikki is in the newsroom now. bier? in the newsroom now. very interesting _ in the newsroom now. very interesting polling - in the newsroom now. very interesting polling on - in the newsroom now. very interesting polling on five l in the newsroom now. - interesting polling on five live this morning, there were a range of views from the members of public. this lady here is annie, she is a nurse, sorry, a junior doctor. this lady here is annie, she is a nurse, sorry, ajunior doctor. she said she is worth more than £13 an hour to nicky campbell. she added that she was looking for an exit strategy from the uk to go elsewhere. someone from essex

responded to that saying that it is blackmail forjunior doctors to say they will leave the country if they don't get a £20,000 increase in their salary. don't get a £20,000 increase in theirsalary. he don't get a £20,000 increase in their salary. he went on to say that before they get into the job, doctors know the conditions, adding that their actions aren't going to get the waiting list down. so this man is very angry at it. meanwhile, we have been hearing that 350,000 appointments may be cancelled over the next four days. we have been talking to a number of people in milton keynes. here on the life they'd we spoke to marion, who was a 77—year—old patient, who was waiting for a shoulder operation. she is hoping it will go ahead this week, but she is not sure. she said that she didn't believe in striking, when it affects peoples health. i want to read you her quote. i appreciate the junior doctors have worked very hard, and you over time, junior doctors have worked very hard, and you overtime, and junior doctors have worked very hard, and you over time, and are not paid very much. but i don't believe in striking when it affects peoples health. i think it is very silly

that the government would enter into talks, because nobody is going to get anywhere in a stand—off. so it is certainly a mixed reaction from members of the public. i have to say that from the ones that i have been looking at, there are a number who have feelings of support for the junior doctors, but there are a number of others who don't think that striking is the way to go about it. and certainly, the fact that a number of operations, up to 350,000 appointments and operations will be cancelled, that is certainly hitting a raw nerve of some members of the public. a raw nerve of some members of the ublic. . . a raw nerve of some members of the ublic. , , ., public. nikki, it is interesting to net that public. nikki, it is interesting to get that view — public. nikki, it is interesting to get that view and _ public. nikki, it is interesting to get that view and reaction, - public. nikki, it is interesting to - get that view and reaction, because thatis get that view and reaction, because that is what it is all about. it is help people out there are being affected as well. as you say, there are 350,000 estimated appointments, operations being cancelled. it is huge when the nhs already have a 7 million backlog because of covert ——

covid. i million backlog because of covert -- covid. . . million backlog because of covert -- covid. ., ., , ., , million backlog because of covert -- covid. ., ., , .,, covid. i have heard people saying that is not _ covid. i have heard people saying that is not only _ covid. i have heard people saying that is not only the _ covid. i have heard people saying that is not only the action - covid. i have heard people saying that is not only the action in - covid. i have heard people saying that is not only the action in the i that is not only the action in the next four days that'll have a problem. because we had the easter holidays, where there haven't been as many operations going on, we now have the four days of strikes, and the consultants who are covering for the consultants who are covering for the junior doctors the consultants who are covering for thejunior doctors have been the junior doctors have been involved thejunior doctors have been involved there. it will take us into next week, before those consultants are back on their normal shifts, and seeing patients. and that means that they are not able to see them until they are not able to see them until they have got back onto that rotor. so it will have a knock—on effect over the next few days or even weeks. a lot of the nhs bosses are telling us. —— that rotor. weeks. a lot of the nhs bosses are telling us. -- that rotor.— telling us. -- that rotor. thank you for bringing — telling us. -- that rotor. thank you for bringing us _ telling us. -- that rotor. thank you for bringing us some _ telling us. -- that rotor. thank you for bringing us some of _ telling us. -- that rotor. thank you for bringing us some of that - for bringing us some of that reaction there. let's go back to trafalgar square, where tens of thousands of people are out in support of thisjunior thousands of people are out in support of this junior doctors strike. it is estimated that up to 50,000 junior doctors are striking over the next four days. plenty more

reaction and analysis on this story on bbc live page covering this. this is bbc news. hello there. we've got some very windy weather on the way tonight and into wednesday. an area of low pressure is developing along the atlantic jet stream. this is causing the pressure to drop explosively. drops of pressure by over 30 millibars in the space of 24 hours, well, these areas of low pressure are sometimes referred to as 'weather bombs'. it will certainly be bringing some strong winds our way over the next 24 hours. now today we've already had the best of the sunny weather. through the afternoon outbreaks of rain will be encroaching from the west, with the winds picking up, as well. that said, we'll hold on to the dry and sunny weather for the north—east of scotland all day. it's overnight tonight that we start to get some strong winds. the first bout of windy weather really affecting wales and western england.

gusts of wind 50 to 70, maybe even over 70mph in the most exposed locations could bring some areas of localised disruption. meanwhile, overnight we'll see rain blow northwards and eastwards across the country. the winds becoming blustery everywhere and showers will be following to western areas later in the night. temperatures will be similar to those of last night's lows of between two and six degrees celsius. tomorrow, a very unsettled day. blustery winds for all of us. outbreaks of rain and plenty of showers around too, but we'll see some further zones of strong winds. southern wales and southern areas of england could see gusts of wind up to 70mph in places. strong enough to bring some disruption. the winds will get very gusty as well for northern ireland. again, strong enough to bring one or two issues here. aside from the very windy weather, we'll have outbreaks of rain, some thunder mixed in, pushing eastwards across all parts of the country. it will be cold enough even for a bit of snow mixed in, particularly across the high ground in northern scotland, mostly above 400 metres elevation. a cold day.

temperatures seven to 12 degrees, but feeling even colder than that given the strength of the winds. by the time we get to thursday, the area of low pressure will be working out into the north sea. still close enough to bring plenty of showers. some of these heavy and thundery, maybe even a bit wintry still over the highest ground in scotland and temperatures continue to struggle at eight to 14 degrees. that's below par for the time of year. we have more unsettled weather to come then through friday and the weekend with rain and showers around, but gradually through sunday and monday it becomes drier and eventually warmer. the first 20 of the year on the charts in london into monday.

all live from london, this is bbc news. joe biden has boarded air force one as he sets off to northern ireland to mark 25 years of the good friday agreement. we will be live in belfast throughout the day, looking ahead to the president's visit. andi and i will be joined by bertie abern. — and i will be joined by bertie abern. who— and i will be joined by bertie ahern, who was _ and i will be joined by bertie ahern, who was prime - and i will be joined by bertie i ahern, who was prime minister and i will be joined by bertie - ahern, who was prime minister at the time of— ahern, who was prime minister at the time of the _ ahern, who was prime minister at the time of the signing _ ahern, who was prime minister at the time of the signing of— ahern, who was prime minister at the time of the signing of the _ time of the signing of the agreement. _ time of the signing of the agreement, asking - time of the signing of the agreement, asking him. time of the signing of the i agreement, asking him what he expects — agreement, asking him what he expects from _ agreement, asking him what he expects from president - agreement, asking him what he expects from president biden. i the uk is set to be one of the worst—performing economies this year, alongside germany, according to new data. junior doctors in england are on strike until the weekend in an ongoing row over pay that set to cause major