The doctors’ union “will not prevail in a conflict with this government,” Wes Streeting stated, emphasizing that the NHS is prepared to endure an extended series of strikes by the British Medical Association (BMA).
In his most direct remarks yet regarding the dispute involving junior doctors in England, the health secretary pledged that Labour would never concede to their demand for a 29% pay increase.
However, in an appeal to the BMA, he urged the union to agree to a deal focused on addressing other concerns doctors face beyond wages, allowing both sides to “achieve a resolution.”
New discussions are scheduled for next week. For these to succeed, Streeting said, the BMA should commit to halting further strikes and acknowledge that fair pay adjustments should apply to all NHS staff, not just doctors, who already earn more than many of their colleagues.
“By now, it should be evident to the BMA that they won’t succeed in a confrontation with this government. It’s not too late for us to reach an agreement,” Streeting wrote in an opinion piece for CuriosityNews.
His comments follow the conclusion of a five-day walkout by thousands of junior doctors, which disrupted NHS services, including cancer care, from last Friday to Wednesday morning.
“I ask the BMA for two things. First, to abandon this unnecessary and unreasonable push for strike action. It harms doctors, it harms patients, and ultimately undermines the NHS by reducing funds available to tackle the issues doctors care about,” Streeting said.
“Second, to recognize that this government has a duty to all NHS staff and, above all, to patients. We cannot solve every problem for everyone simultaneously.”
The prospects of a breakthrough in negotiations appear low. Dismissing a potential resolution focused on non-pay issues—such as access to hot food at night and partial coverage of exam fees—a BMA spokesperson said, “This remains primarily a pay dispute. We do not accept that pay is non-negotiable. We need a realistic proposal toward restoring fair wages.”
The BMA argues that junior doctors deserve a significant raise, despite receiving a 22% increase over the last two years, because inflation has substantially eroded their real-term earnings since 2008. The union has vowed to continue striking until it secures “full pay restoration.”
Dr. Ross Nieuwoudt and Dr. Melissa Ryan, co-chairs of the BMA’s junior doctors’ committee, stressed that Streeting must find a way to enhance their proposed 5.4% pay increase for 2025-26. The end of the five-day strike should serve as “an opportunity for the health secretary to reconsider his approach,” they stated.
If he presents a credible proposal on pay, they said this week’s strike—the 12th by junior and former junior doctors since 2023—could be their last.
In his article, Streeting also:
- Accused the BMA of harming the NHS with its “reckless” prolonged walkout.
- Alleged that the union deliberately sought to cause disruption through strikes.
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