Resident doctors in England call off planned strike after government offer
Resident doctors in England have called off a strike that was scheduled to begin on Monday and last until Friday following a new offer from the government. The British Medical Association (BMA) announced the strike suspension after the government presented a revised proposal, which will now be put to a vote among its members. The planned walkout would have been the 16th in an ongoing dispute over pay and working conditions.
Why this matters
The strike suspension is significant because it temporarily averts disruption to NHS services, which had already begun to see cancellations and postponements in anticipation of the walkout. Although NHS England reported that 95% of operations and appointments were expected to proceed, thousands of procedures were delayed, creating a backlog that hospitals will find challenging to clear. The dispute reflects broader tensions over pay and conditions for resident doctors, who play a critical role in the healthcare system.
Details of the government offer and union response
The government’s new offer includes faster pay scale increases starting next year, 4,500 additional training places for newly qualified doctors, and coverage of doctors’ exam fees. However, government sources confirmed there is no extra funding for pay rises this year. Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, have received pay rises totaling 33% over the past four years, including a 3.5% increase this year. Starting salaries now exceed £40,000, with senior resident doctors earning up to £76,500 in basic pay, plus additional earnings for unsociable hours and extra shifts.
The BMA maintains that despite these increases, resident doctors are still paid about 20% less in real terms than in 2008 when adjusted for inflation. Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, said the union had been clear that strikes would not proceed if an appropriate offer was made. He noted the offer came late but acknowledged the union’s commitment to engage when the government shifted its position.
Reactions from officials and stakeholders
Health Secretary James Murray described the offer as an opportunity to “draw a line under the damaging disputes of recent years” and welcomed the BMA’s decision to call off the strike. He emphasized that the country cannot afford a pay increase this year but highlighted progress in other areas such as training and working conditions.
Sir Ciarán Devane, chief executive of the NHS Alliance, called the strike suspension a “vital chance to reset the conversation” and urged both sides to reach a fair and sustainable agreement.
Background of the dispute
The strike was originally called after Health Secretary James Murray indicated in May that he was unwilling to negotiate on pay, labeling the union’s demands as “unrealistic and unaffordable.” The BMA criticized Murray for showing the same reluctance to move as his predecessor. Since 2023, the union has organized a series of strikes over pay and working conditions, including a six-day walkout in April. That strike followed the rejection of a government offer that included more training jobs, faster career progression, and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses like exam fees.
Recommended reading
For more context, see related Peack News coverage and explainers linked below.
