Resident doctors cancel strike after new offer from government

Resident doctors in England have called off a planned five-day strike after the government presented a new pay offer that will be put to a vote by members of the British Medical Association (BMA).

The strike, which had been scheduled to begin at 7:00 BST on Monday, June 15, and last until 6:59 BST on Friday, June 19, was the 16th in a prolonged dispute over pay and working conditions. The BMA confirmed the cancellation in a statement, noting that the government's latest proposal had been submitted for member consideration.

Health Secretary James Murray described the development as a "chance to draw a line under the damaging disputes of recent years." The BMA also acknowledged the government's shift in position, stating it had fulfilled its responsibilities by halting the strike action.

While the cancellation came too late to prevent some patient disruptions, NHS England reported that 95% of operations and appointments would still proceed. However, thousands of procedures have already been postponed, and hospitals now face the challenge of rescheduling them.

Government sources confirmed that no additional funds had been allocated for pay rises in the current financial year. Instead, the offer includes accelerated pay scale increases for next year, along with commitments to create 4,500 additional training posts for newly qualified doctors and cover doctors' exam fees.

The BMA has argued that resident doctors' real-term pay has declined by around 20% since 2008 when accounting for inflation. Despite recent pay increases—including a 3.5% rise this year—doctors' starting salaries remain just over £40,000, with senior resident doctors earning up to £76,500 in basic pay. Additional earnings are possible through unsociable hours and overtime.

Health Secretary Murray emphasized the financial constraints, stating, "The country simply cannot afford to increase the pay offer for this year." He welcomed the BMA's decision to call off the strikes, calling it a positive step for patients.

Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA's resident doctors committee, acknowledged that while the last-minute nature of the negotiations was regrettable, the union was satisfied with the government's shifting stance. "We have always been clear that no strikes needed to go ahead if we received an offer appropriate to put to our members," he said.

Sir Ciarán Devane, chief executive of the NHS Alliance, described the strike's suspension as a "vital chance to reset the conversation" and urged both sides to reach a fair and sustainable agreement.

The strike was originally called after Murray, in a May meeting, ruled out further pay negotiations, dismissing union demands as "unrealistic and unaffordable." The BMA accused him of maintaining the same inflexible position as his predecessor, Wes Streeting.

This latest dispute follows a six-day walkout in April, during which the BMA rejected an offer that included more training positions, faster career progression, and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses like exam fees. The union has organized multiple strikes in England since 2023 over pay and working conditions.