Rishi Sunak blames NHS staff demanding more pay for waiting times

Rishi Sunak has blamed NHS wait times on striking staff who are demanding more pay. The prime minister added that “clear plans are in place” to bring down waiting lists as he was challenged on why the number of people waiting has increased in the nine months since he took office during PMQs on Wednesday 19 July. “Mr Speaker, the reason that the NHS waiting lists are higher today than they were then - after actually being stable for the first few months is very simple,” Mr Sunak said. “The NHS has been disrupted by industrial action.” Watch more videos on Independent TV: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/editors-pick Click here to subscribe to The Independent: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent About The Independent: Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Connect with The Independent: Check out our full video catalog: https://www.youtube.com/c/theindependent/videos Videos, daily editorial and more: http://www.theindy.com Click here to get the best of The Independent daily: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Like The Independent on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/TheIndependentOnline Follow The Independent on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Independent Follow The Independent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.independent Download the iOS & Android app: https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe/app Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust - https://www.independent.co.uk/donations Subscribe to Independent Premium for exclusive content & live events: https://bit.ly/2MiOONB