Streeting defends 'critical' Medical Training Bill amid MPs' fairness debate

Credit: PA Wire/Lucy North

Claudia Tanner and PA reporters

The government's plan to prioritise British-trained medical graduates for NHS training places has sparked warnings of a potential "exodus" of overseas doctors and concerns over "procedural fairness", as MPs debated the controversial legislation in the Commons on Tuesday.

Health secretary Wes Streeting defended the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill, arguing that British medics will "turn their backs on the NHS" without urgent action to secure their career paths. However, Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs raised serious concerns about the impact on international doctors who have already committed to working in the UK.

Neil Duncan-Jordan, Labour MP for Poole, warned the government risks "damaging the UK's reputation as a fair employer" by implementing changes mid-cycle after applications closed and commitments were made. "To change the rules now, while we are in the middle of the interview window, causes immense personal distress and undermines our long-standing commitment to fairness," he told the Commons.