OFFICIALS from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) met with Tory ministers to begin “intensive talks” to end massive NHS pay strikes today.

The union, which launched its first ever national walkout in England just before Christmas, agreed to pause an unprecedented 48-hour strike next week after Health Secretary Steve Barclay offered discussions over “pay, conditions and productivity enhancing reforms.”

RCN head Pat Cullen said she is “confident” about reaching an agreement on wages, but it is unclear whether the government is reconsidering its long-standing refusal to reopen talks on this year’s below-inflation salary offer – a key sticking point.