RISHI SUNAK blamed health unions for NHS strikes today after being told that Scotland had avoided walkouts by speaking to them.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, SNP MP Dr Philippa Whitford pointed out that consultants in England are set to withdraw their labour on Thursday for the first time in 50 years, soon after junior doctors staged the longest-ever strike in the history of the English NHS.

She said: “Scotland has had no NHS strikes. This is not by chance; it’s because our First Minister and Health Minister have kept working with the BMA to try and address the pay erosion since 2008.

“Workforce shortages are the biggest challenges facing the NHS … does he really think refusing to even talk to health unions will stop doctors leaving the NHS?”

The Prime Minister called on striking medics to “please get back to the hospitals and treat your patients,” claiming that the “government has done its bit” by agreeing to salary increases recommended by the independent pay review body.

Junior doctors are pushing for a 35 per cent rise to reverse their estimated 26 per cent real-terms pay cut since 2008-09.