Humza Yousaf offers to mediate talks between UK Government and health unions to end strikes in England

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Humza Yousaf has made a fresh offer to mediate talks between the UK Government and health unions to end the junior doctor strikes.Medics south of the border walked out this week and are not due back until 7am on Saturday in a row over pay and conditions.The Scottish Government and junior doctors agreed in August a 12.4 per cent pay rise and further inflationary rises up until 2026-27.But the rift between the UK Government and the junior doctors has been growing, with the British Medical Association (BMA) accusing Tory Health Secretary Victoria Adkins of “trying to divide the profession”.Yousaf said: "In Scotland, we have avoided NHS strikes by agreeing a fair pay deal with junior doctors."I reiterate our offer to the UK Government that we’re willing to mediate in their dispute, so no more days of NHS activity are lost to strike.”The offer was originally made in August, in the weeks after the deal with Scottish junior doctors was sealed.The UK Government has also offered its help to Scotland’s health service to reduce high waiting times.The Health Secretary said earlier this week: “It is disappointing that despite significant progress the BMA Junior Doctors Committee have walked away from negotiations and declared new strikes, which will result in more disruption for patients and extra pressure on NHS services and staff as we enter a busy winter period, risking patient safety.“I have been clear that I respect the work of doctors in training and want to work with them to settle this dispute.“We have agreed a fair and reasonable offer with the BMA’s Consultants Committee which is being put to members for vote following constructive talks.“If the Junior Doctors Committee call off their strikes, we will immediately look to