Streeting denies changing pay deal for resident doctors

Health Secretary Denies Altering Pay Agreement for Resident Doctors

The UK Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, asserted to the BBC that the government had not modified its pay arrangement with resident doctors to conclude the ongoing labor strikes. He also mentioned his desire to engage with the “organ grinders” from the British Medical Association (BMA) resident doctors’ committee, yet claimed they had “point blank refused” further talks. Dr. Jack Fletcher, the committee’s chair, responded by stating that one- or two-year settlements were discussed during negotiations. He added that the government had insisted at the very last moment on a “three-year deal with reduced investment.”

“There’s a deal on the table that would have given them an average 4.9% more for this year, 7.1% for some of the lowest-paid doctors.”

The current six-day strike in England is set to end at 06:59 on Monday. Fletcher reiterated in a BBC statement that the BMA resident doctors’ committee remains “open and willing to meet with the health secretary.” He highlighted that the BMA has “negotiated in good faith with a genuine desire to reach a resolution” throughout the dispute.

“We’ve gone as far as we can, I’m never going to shut the door to the BMA, I’m not pretending I’ve solved all of their problems in less than two years.”

Streeting also noted that resident doctors received a 28.9% pay rise within the initial weeks of the Labour government. Despite this, the BMA argued that doctors are still earning 33% more than before over the past four years but are still paid a fifth less than in 2008 when adjusted for inflation. Addressing the claim that the deal was changed at the last minute, Streeting stated this would not serve his or the government’s interests. He suggested the BMA either “didn’t read the detail” of the agreement or “faced with that enormous committee” opted to “conveniently blame the government.”

Hours after the interview, Streeting published a letter on X to the doctors’ union, expressing “disappointment and frustration” over the latest walkout. He acknowledged “most of the deal remains on the table,” but noted the “financial and operational impact” of the strikes had prevented the addition of 1,000 extra training places to the current year’s allocation of 4,500.