Education unions and the Tory Government have agreed to hold "intensive talks" to avert further teachers' strikes that have closed schools in recent months. It comes just 24 hours after unions representing nurses and ambulance workers reached a deal with ministers - raising hopes of an end to the biggest industrial unrest in NHS history. A joint statement from the Government and four education unions - published on Friday - said they "have agreed to move into a period of intensive talks" after crippling strike action. The talks will "focus on teacher pay, conditions and workload reductions," they said. The unions involved in the talks include the National Education Union, the Association of School and College Leaders, the National Association of Head Teachers, and NASUWT. The statement added: "In order for talks to begin and, we hope, reach a successful conclusion, the NEU has confirmed it will create a period of calm for two weeks during which time they have said no further strike dates will be announced. "The Education Secretary and all unions will meet today, beginning intensive talks, which will continue over the weekend." Read More Passport staff to strike for FIVE WEEKS as Brits planning on holidays issued warning Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, Dr Mary Bousted, at a rally earlier this week ( Image: PA) On Friday the leaders of junior doctors' unions were also calling for an early meeting with Steve Barclay, the health secretary, to help resolve their dispute. Earlier this week junior doctors held a three-day walkout. The
British Medical Association has exchanged letters with the Government following yesterday's announcement of a new offer to other NHS workers - but no date has been set for a meeting. Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-chair of the BMA's junior doctors committee, told
BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Our position has been that we are open to talk in good faith, meaningfully, at any time. "We were ready to talk months ago. Our formal dispute started over 150 days ago and, again, that is just what I mean in that it is disappointing it has taken Steve Barclay so long to get to the negotiating table. "I only hope that he does come with good faith and a mandate to negotiate. "So far we haven't arranged a time for this afternoon but there has been some correspondence between our offices so it does look like we'll be able to set something up in the near future." Read More Royal Mail 'failing to deliver letters six days a week' as it faces Ofcom probe Read More Passport staff to strike for FIVE WEEKS as Brits planning on holidays issued warning Read More 'Nurses pay increase must not come from a raid of existing NHS budgets' Read More Government FINALLY reaches pay deal with NHS unions after months of strikes Read More Doctors deserve better than to be squeezed by penny-pinching Jeremy Hunt