U.S. District Judge William Alsup described the mass firings as a “sham” strategy by the government’s central human resources office.

Number 10 insisted the move, announced unexpectedly by the prime minister this morning, is a "necessary measure" to deliver on Labour's promise to reduce NHS waiting lists.

Board members stepped down days before In the days before Starmer's announcement, NHS England said three leading board members were stepping down at the end of the month.