Thousands of ambulance workers in England and Wales begin strike as public warned to avoid ‘risky activities’ – live

Ministers and health leaders urge people to be cautious as ambulance workers and other NHS staff strike for between 12 and 24 hours

Thousands of ambulance workers in England and Wales are beginning a 24-hour strike action over real-terms salary cuts, describing last-minute talks with the government as “pointless” because the health secretary Steve Barclay refused to even discuss pay.

Nevertheless, Barclay has used an article in this morning’s edition of the Daily Telegraph to place the blame on the trade unions, accusing them of making a “conscious decision” to “inflict harm” on patients.

We now know that the NHS contingency plans will not cover all 999 calls. Ambulance unions have made a conscious choice to inflict harm on patients.