should the government be ashamed

Every day the government refuses to meet the nurses and begin to negotiate is a day totally wasted and potentially a day in which people suffer unnecessarily.

What is the point in not talking?

The government has to get around the table in order to end the strike.

Perhaps Sunak thinks he can brow-beat the nurses and ambulance drivers into submission.

What a way to run a country.

I abhor this government and what they've done to our country. Yes, they should definitely hang their heads in shame.

Dibbydod, this simply isn't true.

"We are all struggling with the high cost of living, the prices have gone sky high in the supermarkets, we are all in the same boat "

All of us on gransnet have very different incomes. Some of us here will be struggling, others absorb the extras on basics like heating and price rises. And we have different needs as well, different care costs also on.

And it depends how far the income has to go. Mine is enough for tiny mortgage not the £1000++ young families are shelling out, mortgage and after all I'm just supporting me in food and clothes etc, not a family, and enough to keep my house warm and food, and run a car.

Some here still expect to go on holidays and travel abroad as they have before, as a norm, others accepted its not do-able any more.

"We are all" very different.

But I do pay tax and I would be prepared to pay more, as others do in some other European countries, for decent public services. You get what you pay for. somehow many British people believe in the total myth that you can have low taxes and decent services, well, you cant.

Dibbydod

The rising cost of living is affecting everyone , if the government gives them the pay rise that they are asking , then that would be totally unfair on other people in other employments , like bus drivers , care home staff ,ect ect . It would be totally impossible for everyone to have pay rise to meet the demands of living today . We are all struggling with the high cost of living, the prices have gone sky high in the supermarkets, we are all in the same boat .

But we're not, are we? Most MPs are very wealthy and have become even more so by leaching off the British tax payer.

This chaos could be predicted and, as Will Hutton commented in an excellent article in the Observer, The strikes are baleful legacy of a 12 year obsession with tax cuts and a small state.

Dibbydod, no, we're not all in the same boat - we're in various different boats. Nurses have had a decreasing income (in real terms) for over a decade. They need their wages restored to pre 2010 levels. That's not even a pay rise, is it?

This government is out of ideas so sits with their hands in their pockets, doing nothing.

In the current climate there are so many workers who can’t make ends meet. Yes it’s a disgrace but there are so many reasons and not all of them are the fault of the government. A general election wouldn’t solve anything as the cost of living is so high. The railways and the Royal Mail are losing money at a frightening rate. People will look at other ways of travelling or communicating. Keir Starmer said he would talk to the nurses. It’s not worth the disruption to have an election which would only bring more of the same. Let’s at least give this new administration a chance. They have taken over at a truly awful time which would be extremely difficult for any party.

The rising cost of living is affecting everyone , if the government gives them the pay rise that they are asking , then that would be totally unfair on other people in other employments , like bus drivers , care home staff ,ect ect . It would be totally impossible for everyone to have pay rise to meet the demands of living today . We are all struggling with the high cost of living, the prices have gone sky high in the supermarkets, we are all in the same boat .

Just a wee reminder that the train drivers aren't on strike, Oreo. They are ASLEF. RMT is railway workers; station staff, track maintenance, guards etc. Not drivers.

When my mother had a heart attack, the ambulance arrived in 10 minutes. Earlier this year.

Although it suits some agendas to paint everything as black, its not true.

And if anybody says "just as well she didn't have a heart attack today then", I will report them.

volver- maybe, eventually after many hours if you can last that long.

Any government that thinks twelve hour shifts are acceptable should be ashamed in my opinion. I don’t blame the strikers, I blame management and the government.

Ambulance workers need a reasonable pay increase as they are poorly paid for their work and responsibility.

Yes, I also heard on the news that people have to stop their leisure pursuits and not even drive in case they hurt themselves or have an accident!! This is preposterous! The Government ought to hear themselves and take a long look at the outrageous situation that we are in because of their mismanagement. Their subtle message is poor government, their hands are tied and pointing at the 'offending strikers' and saying they are the ones that are putting your life at risk..... instead of actually admitting they have failed and are not taking responsibility. Shame on them.

This government has no shame. It's always the same with them. Never the fault of the government. Blame the poor workers. They underestimate the power of the people and think we are all fools and will just carry on taking this abuse of power. The NHS nurses deserve to be paid properly, and people are behind them and turning ever more away from this Conservative government who have no real mandate except it seems to fill their own pockets

I truly believe that the strikers have no choice. Its not just about pay. It’s about all of our safety too.
This government and those preceding it have so much to answer for.
Public services have been eroded for far too long.

They will be ashamed and embarrassed when they are forced to climb down and negotiate with the unions. I don’t think there’s any chance that staff will capitulate.

eazybee

No, it is the people who are choosing to go on strike who are to blame.

I hope that is an ironic statement.

No, it is the people who are choosing to go on strike who are to blame.

In a word: YES

They should be ashamed but they aren't. It's the fault of the strikers that things are so bad according to this government.

But at least the ambulance will come and there'll be a nurse to look after you. 🤣

Out of the English frying pan into the Scottish fire?

I’m driving a long way, DH is going to the gym and I might play tennis.
On the other hand I could stay in bed and hope the ceiling doesn’t fall in.
General election soon please.