The Health Secretary has issued a warning that a potential strike by resident doctors over the festive period would pose a "much different degree of risk" compared to previous walkouts, as the number of flu patients in English hospitals has reached an unprecedented high for this time of year.

Wes Streeting added that he "cannot think of a single other trade union in this country that would behave this way". Mr Streeting expressed his disappointment at the British Medical Association's (BMA) refusal to accept his offer to extend their strike mandate if they called off the planned action, labelling the decision as "inexplicable".

He also informed MPs that the Government "cannot guarantee" that the NHS will be able to uphold 95% of elective activity should the strikes proceed. Addressing the Commons, Mr Streeting praised the efforts of healthcare workers and NHS leaders in managing previous strikes and said: "Frontline staff and NHS leaders have done a superb job in managing previous rounds of strike action. In fact, the last round of strike action, we did indeed maintain 95% of planned care."

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However, he cautioned about the increased risk this time around, adding: "However, I've got to be upfront with the shadow health secretary and with the House that there is a much different degree of risk this time.

"So while we're aiming to maintain 95% of elective activity again, we're aiming to, I cannot guarantee that, and I cannot give that assurance in all good conscience, given the level of pressure we are under. And that is why I just find it inexplicable actually, that, having offered to extend the mandate so the BMA could reschedule the same amount of strike action in January if their members reject this offer, I do not understand why they wouldn't do that.

"And honestly, as a Labour MP, I have spent lots of time in rooms with trade unions and negotiating, I honestly cannot think of a single other trade union in this country that would behave this way, I really can't.

"And I'm actually shocked by it. And I'm shocked because of the risk it poses to patients. I'm shocked because of the pressure it places on other NHS staff, and I'm shocked because it threatens the recovery of the NHS that we all care about."

Speaking on the strain caused by the flu season, Mr Streeting said: "Flu season has come earlier, with a sharp rise in cases – the peak still to come – and this year's strain more likely to affect older people more severely.

"Already, the number of patients in hospital in England with flu is the highest on record at this point in the year. It is 50% higher than this time last year, and 10 times higher than in 2023 – 95% of hospital beds are occupied, growing numbers of staff are off sick, and we are already seeing the pressure in our A&E departments."

He painted a grim picture of the potential impact of the strike: "It is against this backdrop that the BMA is threatening to douse the NHS in petrol, light a match and march its members out on strike." The Health Secretary admitted he couldn't assure that "no patient will come to harm" if the industrial action proceeds.

The BMA has announced it will gauge members' views through an online survey to determine whether the Government's fresh proposal is sufficient to halt next week's walkouts. The digital ballot will conclude on Monday, two days before the five-day industrial action is scheduled to commence.

The union outlined that the latest proposal encompasses: fresh legislation guaranteeing UK-trained junior doctors receive priority for specialist training positions; a boost in specialist training places across the coming three years, with 1,000 of these beginning in 2026; and financial support for compulsory examination and Royal College membership costs for resident medics.

The Health Secretary made it abundantly clear that should the strikes proceed as scheduled, he would withdraw the Government's proposal because failing to do so would "incentivise" industrial action. He informed MPs that he doesn't believe BMA negotiators are "bad people", acknowledging they might feel "frustrated" with him and the Government.

He added: "I'm equally frustrated with them and the fact that they do not recognise how far and how fast we have come. But that's the nature of the dispute."

Shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew has called on Mr Streeting to address issues in the Government's Employment Rights Bill, including reductions in the minimum thresholds for strikes and minimum service levels. Addressing the Commons, he said: "These strikes must end. The BMA are behaving appallingly."

He warned Mr Streeting: "But I have to say to him, if he does not deal with those issues around thresholds and minimum service levels, it is only going to get much, much worse, with unions like the BMA, at the end of the day, causing more issues."

He highlighted the potential impact on the public: "And it is patients, our constituents and their families and loved ones who will suffer."