Ministers ‘punishing’ nurses in England, says union as NHS hit by biggest strike

RCN says hundreds of thousands of nurses are striking, with ambulance workers also taking action

A union leader has accused the government of choosing to punish" nurses after a health minister insisted there would be no re-examination of NHS pay for this year, as the health service in England faces what is expected to be the biggest strike in its history.

The industrial action on Monday is the first time NHS nurses and ambulance staff in England have stopped work simultaneously, amid an ongoing dispute over pay and staffing.