Strikes to go ahead – but ministers’ willingness to talk is a sign of progress

Some suggest political naivety played a role as No 10 admits it is taking a new approach' by discussing pay

At the end of talks over next year's pay deal for NHS workers, which broke up without resolution on Monday, union negotiators told Steve Barclay: You know we're going ahead with strikes?" One of those in the room said the health secretary shrugged his shoulders in resignation. I accept that," he told them.

But the fact ministers sat down with unions to discuss pay at all is, in itself, a breakthrough. For weeks the government has been indicating that, while it would meet unions to avert further strikes, reopening this year's pay deal was not an option.