Ambulance staff need firm promise on pay to call off strike, says union

Mere commitment to discuss pay, so far refused by health secretary, would now be insufficient

Ambulance staff would require a definite commitment from ministers on pay rather than just a promise of talks to call off their planned strike on Wednesday, according to a union leader who said trust had largely broken down with the government.

Christina McAnea, the general secretary of Unison, among three unions involved in the strike by ambulance crews, said even a commitment to discuss pay, thus far refused by the health secretary, Steve Barclay, would now be insufficient.