Resident Doctors in England Vote on Strike Action

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced a new ballot for strike action among England's resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, after the government refused to commit to restoring pay to 2008 levels. Despite a 22% pay rise for doctors over the past two years, the BMA is demanding 'full pay restoration,' which could result in salary increases of up to 50% for some. The strike ballot will run from May 27 to July 7, and, if approved, could lead to industrial action between July 2024 and January 2026. The government is awaiting recommendations from the independent pay review body before setting the 2025/26 pay deal, but the BMA is acting preemptively, citing more than a decade of below-inflation pay increases. This dispute threatens Labour's pledge to reduce NHS waiting lists and occurs amid broader public sector unrest over pay. BMA leaders say further strikes are likely unless the government moves toward pay restoration by 2027.