Heidi Alexander MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, commenting on the Department of Health’s response to a proposal to restart talks on the junior doctor contract, said:

“This was a sensible and reasonable proposal, put forward by the Royal Colleges, and Jeremy Hunt’s response is irresponsible.

"Yet again this Health Secretary is at risk of putting his pride ahead of patients.

"From start to finish Jeremy Hunt’s handling of these negotiations has been shambolic. He has alienated a generation of junior doctors and left them feeling like they have no other way to get their voice heard than taking industrial action.

"It’s time Jeremy Hunt did the right thing for patients. His intransigence is doing deep and lasting damage to the NHS and he must find a way to resolve this.”