Thousands of NHS paramedics, technicians and call handlers follow nurses taking to picket lines for 12 hours in a long-running pay dispute.

Amid sustained pressure on 999 and 111 services, eight English and Welsh NHS and ambulance trusts declare critical incidents, despite promises of “life and limb cover”.

Londoners requiring an ambulance until midnight on Wednesday are even being told in some cases they should get to A&E under their own steam.

Meanwhile, the army’s been deployed to help deal with driving ambulances, but they’re not cleared to treat patients.

For the latest analysis on this historic industrial action and where it all leaves Rishi Sunak, the Leader’s joined by Evening Standard political editor Nicholas Cecil.

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