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Strike Threat As PM Says NHS Is In 'Safe Hands'

David Cameron has laid out plans to create a "seven-day" NHS service - but has been warned that nurses could walk out if their pay and conditions are affected.

The Prime Minister has committed to boosting NHS funding by at least £8bn a year by 2020 in his first major speech since the General Election.

But Royal College of Nursing (RCN) chief executive Dr Peter Carter said "any attacks on unsocial hours, weekend working payments would be strongly resisted" and could lead to industrial action.

He added: "What we're saying is if you cut the pay of hard-working people, a situation will be made so much worse than it currently is nurses and our colleagues in other disciplines are under huge strain and pressure.

"The concept of seven-day working and uniformity of care we fully welcome, but please don't cut the pay of people who are already working seven days a week."

Speaking to Sky News health secretary Jeremy Hunt hit back, saying: "It is ridiculous, jumping the gun. We have not made any proposals about nurses' terms and conditions.

"Remember, we already have nurses working 24-7 in hospitals. In fact we have hospital sites offering a full seven-day service under the current conditions."

The Prime Minister was speaking at a GP surgery in the West Midlands, where he reassured the public that the NHS is "safe in our hands".

The NHS was a major issue during the General Election campaign , with the Conservatives supporting a plan to fill an estimated £30bn funding gap by 2020.

Mr Cameron committed to creating a "truly seven-day NHS" by extending GP opening hours.

"There is nothing that embodies the spirit of One Nation coming together - nothing that working people depend on more - than the NHS," Mr Cameron said.

"Our commitment is to free healthcare for everyone - wherever you are and whenever you need it.

"That means getting the best care and making that care available for everyone - free - wherever they are and whenever they need it.

"So I believe that together - by sticking to the plan - we can become the first country in the world to deliver a truly seven-day NHS."

He also hit back at claims that he wanted to privatise the NHS.

"During the election campaign, a lot of rubbish was talked about my plans.

"I want to put the record straight today, loud and clear.We haven't and we won't."

The speech comes as the most diverse UK Parliament ever sat for the first time today.

Newly elected MPs took their seats in Westminster after an election which saw 111 seats change hands, transforming the make-up of the House of Commons.

For the first time the SNP is the third largest party, winning 56 of the 59 seats in Scotland. They will take over offices occupied by the Liberal Democrats.

The Parliament of 2015 is also a more accurate reflection of British society. A record 29% of MPs are women and 6% are from ethnic minorities.

Besides the NHS, key issues for the next five years include an EU referendum that Mr Cameron has promised by 2017, the question of Scottish devolution and planned cuts to government spending.

Sky News has spoken to several new MPs about the issues that matter most to them.

Victoria Borthwick, a Conservative MP for Kensington, said she was "excited and nervous" about joining Parliament, and wanted to prioritise disabled rights.

Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, said she felt honoured to be an MP and was personally keen to push housing and minimising the impact of the HS2 rail plans.

Hannah Bardell, the SNP member for Livingston, said jobs were her main priority and as a party the SNP would form a progressive alliance with other parties which would be anti-austerity and pro-EU.