Strike action by ambulance staff represented by three union has begun today again in England and Wales.

The action by the GMB, Unite and Unison follows the announcement of more strike days in February and March by ambulance workers last week.

Life-threatening calls will continue to be answered but delays for non-emergency calls are expected.

The GMB issued a statement last week saying ambulance delays had declined on days of industrial action.

The union said that on 11 January – the day of a national ambulance walk out – handover delays of more than an hour were down five times in England on the week before.  

Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary, said: “This government has left our NHS so broken that performance actually improved on strike day. 

“GMB members agreed safety levels with each and every ambulance trust – then they dropped everything and left the picket lines to save lives. 

“Instead of praising them, this government his demonised them and pushed through a fresh attack on workers’ rights.  

“They are scaremongering and playing political games – they need to talk pay now.” 

The government has introduce anti-strike legislation to the Commons that would seek to guarantee minimum service levels in the event of a action.

Reacting to today’s walk-out, Health and social care secretary Steve Barclay said: “It is hugely disappointing some ambulance workers are continuing to take industrial action. While we have contingency plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety, there will inevitably be further disruption.

“It is important people continue coming forward for treatment – call 999 in life threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 online, local pharmacies and GP services for non-life threatening care.

“I have had constructive talks with unions about this coming year’s pay process for 2023/24, and am keen to continue talking about what is affordable and fair.”