Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on which dates he has met with the British Medical Association to discuss preventing strike action since his appointment on 25 October 2022.

My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, met the British Medical Association on 12 January 2023. He and I also met the BMA on 2 March, 22 March and 27 March 2023. These meetings included discussion on preventing strike action as part of wider conversations on pay and conditions.

The Government and the BMA Junior Doctors Committee held a constructive discussion on 2 May, in preparation for talks aimed at resolving the current junior doctors dispute.

While these talks are ongoing, we will not provide a running commentary.