He suggested any strike action would be beneficial to the Russian president Vladimir Putin.
A top Tory has claimed nurses must call off their planned strikes to “send a very clear message to Mr Putin”.
The former Health Secretary turned Conservative Party chair Nadhim Zahawi told viewers on Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme that the war in Ukraine was driving up energy prices and suggested any pay rise would be beneficial to the Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Mr Zahwai insisted, “this is not a time to strike, this is a time to try and negotiate”, despite the current Health Secretary’s refusal to enter “meaningful” negotiations.
“This is not a time to be divided. We have to come together to, I hope, send a very clear message to Mr Putin that he can’t use energy as a weapon in this way,” he added.
A new low for the Government.
RCN general secretary and chief executive Pat Cullen, said: “Using Russia’s war in Ukraine as a justification for a real-terms pay cut for nurses in the UK is a new low for this government. The public does not believe this kind of rhetoric and wants ministers to address our dispute.
“Nursing staff cannot afford their food and other bills and still fear the worst on energy this winter. But our campaign is about more than today’s cost of living crisis – it’s a cry for help for an NHS that’s had a decade of neglect. Record numbers of nurses are leaving because they feel undervalued and patients are paying the price.
“Ten days until our strike action is due to begin, I reiterate my commitment to meeting with ministers to address our dispute. Instead of negotiating with nurses, they are choosing strike action.”
