The Health Secretary is appealing to resident physicians in England to vote ‘no’ in a strike ballot regarding pay and conditions. He says that unlike previous industrial actions, the public doesn’t support them.
Wes Streeting, a British Medical Association member, said that the NHS was “broken, but not beaten”, and urged residents (formerly junior doctors) to “stick with” us. The BMA ballot will close on 7th July.
Streeting wrote in The Times: “We cannot afford to go back to a constant cycle of standoffs, strike and cancellations. Strikes are a last option and they’re not in anyone’s best interest today.
I’m asking resident doctors to vote “no” and continue to work together to rebuild the NHS.
The resident doctors in England received a pay increase of 5.4% for 2025-2026. This is the largest award for public sector announced last week. Consultants were awarded 4% while nurses, other health care workers and those on Agenda for Change contracts received 3.6%.
In September 2024, the Labour government ended the last industrial dispute just weeks after taking office. The pay settlement was 22.3%, and 66% of resident physicians supported it.
According to the health secretary, based on the agreement of last year, resident doctors’ salaries have increased by 28.9% in three years “thanks” to this government.
In 2022-23, the average salary of a resident doctor working full-time was around 29.400 PS. This has now increased to around 38.800 PS.
The BMA has described the deal for this year as “inadequate”, and the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remunerations (DDRB) has “failed doctors”.
Melissa Ryan and Ross Nieuwoudt are the co-chairs of BMA resident doctors’ committee. They said that “Doctors’ pay has declined by 23% real terms since 2008”. The pay of doctors today is no less than it was in 2008, but at the current rate, we would have to wait over a decade to reach that level.
“We urge doctors to vote yes on strike action.” By voting yes they are telling the government that there is no other option than fixing pay. This cannot wait until different fiscal circumstances or a healthier NHS. Fix it now.
“Our door will remain open as long as doctors continue to send in these ballots.” Wes Streeting made it clear that he understands the importance of dialogue and division. He can avoid the mistakes made by his predecessors and present us with a solution. “Even if doctors vote in favor of industrial action, the right approach will prevent any picket lines from ever forming.”
If resident doctors vote for industrial action, then the BMA will have a mandate to strike that extends until January 2026.
Public opinion about resident doctor strikes
Streeting’s call comes at a time when YouGov polling shows that public opinion has changed since the last dispute in which junior doctors walked out for 44 consecutive days between March and July 2024.
This week’s survey of 4100 adults revealed that almost two-fifths (12% strongly supported, 27% somewhat supported) of respondents support resident doctors striking. Nearly half (26% strongly opposed, 22% slightly oppose) are against the idea. One in seven people (14%) said they “didn’t have any idea”.
In June 2024, when junior doctors were on strike just before the general elections, 52% of respondents supported their actions, while 39% did not.
Streeting stated: “The public supported previous strikes in response to a government that was imposing real-terms pay cuts for resident doctors. Patients are now against strike action.
“Following significant pay rises delivered in the last 10 months, staff can see that the government is committed towards a fair deal. Strike action is not what patients want. “I hope that resident doctors will vote against them.”
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