Keir Starmer has said resident doctors would be irresponsible to push ahead with strikes next week after NHS England said a surge of “super flu” cases had left the service facing its worst-case scenario this winter.

Ministers presented the British Medical Association with a fresh offer on training places on Wednesday night in a last-ditch attempt to avert industrial action.

The BMA is consulting its members on the proposals, raising hopes of a breakthrough, despite its leaders saying they do nothing to address their concerns on pay.

The prime minister urged resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors - to “do the responsible thing, accept the offer that’s on the table, and we can all move forward”.

“They are being irresponsible in my view. We have already put in place quite

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