The country is faced with two different crises - the short-term miners' dispute, which was the subject of the measures announced by the Prime Minister to achieve a three-day working week, and the Longer Term Crisis of the oil situation, which was the subject of the Chancellor's measures before Christmas.

There is a Longer Term Crisis, because as a nation we have grown accustomed to demand far more than we are prepared to pay in tax.

Not only is the Government's game of brinkmanship causing problems with morale and patient safety, it could lead to a Longer Term Crisis in the NHS as doctors choose not to work here.