Could the stalemate finally be ending? The Royal College of Nursing is locked in “intensive talks” with health secretary Steve Barclay after halting its planned strike action.

After months of dragging his feet, Barclay has finally agreed to open negotiations over not just working conditions, but pay too.

Pat Cullen, the RCN’s general secretary, sounds optimistic, and says she is “confident” of returning from the meeting with a “fair pay settlement” for nurses.