A decision from the Department of Health and Social Care might come as early as this weekend, according to government sources, as ambulance employees are scheduled to strike on December 21 and 28.
Within days, a formal request for soldiers to drive ambulances during strike action could be made.
After the Ministry of Defence (MOD) receives an official request for MACA, or Military Assistance to the Civil Authorities, training to drive ambulances would commence.
The Department of Health and Social Care might make a decision as early as this weekend, according to government sources who informed that the decision is “imminent.
At Heathrow and Gatwick, military soldiers have already been trained to assist with passport inspections at the border.
In a separate letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the leader of the train union, Mick Lynch, requested an urgent meeting to attempt to settle the protracted rail strikes.
With two 48-hour strikes planned for the 13-14 and 16-17 of December, as well as from 6 p.m. on 24 December to 6 a.m. on 27 December, Mr. Lynch stated that a meeting would be “the best chance for further development.”
In response to Mr. Lynch’s request for a meeting with Mr. Sunak, a government spokesperson stated that it was “very unfortunate” that the RMT continued to hold “Christmas hostage” despite a better arrangement that included “job security and a fair pay increase.”
The statement ended, “The government has done its part by facilitating a fair and decent offer, and the RMT and its members should vote for this settlement to end this detrimental interruption.”
The union rejected the latest offer of a 5% backdated wage increase this year and 4% starting in January, as well as no mandatory layoffs until 2025.
The Ministry of Defense acknowledged that military personnel had arrived at Heathrow and Gatwick airports in London earlier this week.
Border Force officers will go on strike at the two London airports, as well as airports in Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, and Port of Newhaven, from December 23-26 and 28-31, after rejecting a 2% salary increase offer from the government.
According to the Cabinet Office, up to 600 military men and 700 civil servants are undergoing training at airports and ports in the event of a strike.
During a visit to an RAF post, Mr. Sunak expressed gratitude to individuals who stepped in and missed Christmas.
In a similar vein, on December 21 and 28, more than 10,000 ambulance personnel, including paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers, and other staff, from nine ambulance trusts in England and Wales, will go on strike.
Unions GMB, Unison, and Unite are coordinating the industrial action, also owing to a conflict over wages. If requested, military personnel would focus mostly on logistical jobs rather than medical duties.
This comes after Mr. Sunak stated that he will “do all it takes to keep people safe,” including prohibiting strikes by emergency services.
In December, civil servants, nurses, driving examiners, Royal Mail employees, national highway workers, and luggage handlers will also go on strike.
