Resident Doctors in England Vote in Favour of Strike Action

Resident Doctors in England Vote in Favour of Strike Action

Resident doctors in England have overwhelmingly voted to take strike action, escalating their campaign for better pay and working conditions and increasing pressure on the UK government to resolve the dispute.

The British Medical Association (BMA) announced that 90% of resident doctors who participated in the recent ballot supported industrial action, with a turnout of 55%.

Nearly 30,000 doctors voted, giving the union a strong mandate for strikes that could continue into early 2026 if no agreement is reached.

Doctors say their pay has fallen by over 20% in real terms since 2008, and they are demanding full pay restoration.

The government’s recent offer of a 4% pay rise and a one-off payment was rejected by the BMA, which called the proposal “insufficient” and said it failed to address the long-term decline in doctors’ earnings.

The BMA has urged the government to return to negotiations with a more substantial offer, warning that strikes will go ahead unless meaningful progress is made.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is expected to meet union leaders in the coming days, but the dispute remains unresolved.

The planned industrial action is likely to cause further disruption to NHS services, which are already under strain.

Patients may face delays and cancellations for appointments and procedures if strikes proceed.

The BMA says the action is necessary to protect the future of the medical profession and ensure safe staffing levels in the NHS.