Rishi Sunak to deliver Covid-style ‘broadcast to the nation’ but makes NO mention of strikes crippling Britain as he vows to clear NHS backlogs and stop Channel boats

• PM vows to tackle problems including the economy, the NHS and migrant boats
• In 3min 40 second political broadcast Mr Sunak does not mention strikes
• Vows to restore ‘pride in the UK’ by focusing on ‘the people’s priorities’

Rishi Sunak will make a Covid-style ‘broadcast to the nation’ tonight in which he will vow to ‘fix the challenges’ facing Britain – but make no mention of strikes crippling the nation.

In the three minute and 40 second political broadcast the Prime Minister vows to tackle problems including the economy, the NHS and migrants crossing the Channel in small boats.

But on the day when NHS paramedics are on the picket line in a dispute over pay, and after rail strikes that have hammered services for months, there is no mention of industrial action.

Instead the PM, sitting at a desk in Downing Street, talks about how he wants to restore ‘pride in the United Kingdom’ by focusing on ‘the people’s priorities.

In the three minute and 40 second political broadcast the Prime Minister vows to tackle problems including the economy, the NHS and migrants crossing the Channel in small boats.

But on the day when NHS paramedics are on the picket line in a dispute over pay, and after rail strikes that have hammered services for months, there is no mention of industrial action.

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea joined ambulance workers on the picket line outside Longley Ambulance Station in Sheffield today

The broadcast also reminds viewers of the public outpouring of support for the NHS during the pandemic

Mr Sunak will say: ‘Every family worries about getting the NHS care they need, for themselves, their parents, grandparents or children. But Covid has done huge harm to the NHS.

‘It’s created massive backlogs, which we are working through. But Britain’s heroic response to Covid shows that where the political will exists to really grip a problem, we can bring everyone together and achieve the unthinkable.’

Up to 25,000 ambulance workers across England and Wales have gone on strike in a dispute with the Government over pay.

Paramedics, call handlers, drivers and technicians from the Unison and GMB unions are taking part in staggered strikes across a 24-hour period today.

It comes as 14 health unions, representing more than a million NHS staff, said they will not submit evidence to the NHS pay review body for the next wage round ‘while the current industrial disputes remain unresolved’.

Instead, the unions, which represent ambulance staff, nurses, porters, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists and other NHS workers in England, called for direct pay talks with ministers.

NHS Providers has warned the NHS will be hit harder by Wednesday’s strike than one held in December as more staff, including call handlers, go on strike.

Unison has balloted around 15,000 of its members who are striking in London, Yorkshire, the North West, North East and South West.

Addressing the Channel boats crisis, he outlined extra steps ministers are taking to prevent the influx, which saw more than 40,000 people cross the busy international waterway in 2022.

‘It’s unfair on those who follow the rules, on those who really deserve our help. And above all it is unfair on British taxpayers. It must stop, and under my government it will stop,’ he says.

‘Britain will always be a place for global talent and those in dire need. But basic human decency must be accompanied by hard headed common sense.’

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