50,000 Junior Doctors Strike England Amid NHS Pay Dispute

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has condemned the five-day strike by up to 50,000 resident doctors in England, urging that the strikes must cause significant disruption to discourage wider walkouts in the public sector. The doctors, demanding a 29% pay rise, have entered their 12th strike amid failed talks, with Streeting refusing to negotiate on pay but offering other financial concessions. Despite efforts to maintain NHS services, including keeping non-urgent treatments running and having senior doctors cover striking staff, the strikes are expected to impact NHS progress and patient care. Streeting accused the British Medical Association (BMA) of acting in bad faith and criticized union leaders for misleading their members and risking broader trade union disrepute. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also condemned the strikes, warning of the damage they could inflict on the NHS and the country. The government aims to minimize cancellations, urging patients to attend appointments unless notified otherwise, while tightening policies on doctors' career progression and financial practices during strikes to deter future industrial actions.