Prime Minister Keir Starmer has threatened to withdraw an offer of thousands of additional NHS training places if resident doctors in England proceed with a six-day strike after Easter. Writing in the Times, Starmer gave the British Medical Association (BMA) 48 hours to reconsider its rejection of a pay and training deal, warning that the offer would be pulled if the strike goes ahead.
The BMA's resident doctors committee rejected a deal last week that would have provided a pay rise of up to 7.1% this year, reforms to pay progression, reimbursements for Royal College exam costs, and 4,500 extra speciality training places over three years. Starmer described the rejection as 'reckless' and called for the deal to be put to a vote of members.
The prime minister noted that 1,000 of the training posts were due to open for applications this month but 'will be gone if this deal isn't put to a vote on Thursday.' He emphasised that the measures were the result of months of collaboration with the BMA and that walking away without a member vote was detrimental to patients, the NHS, and doctors.
The BMA plans to strike from 7 to 13 April, demanding 'full pay restoration' to 2008 levels, equivalent to a 26% pay rise. Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA's UK resident doctors committee, accused the government of shifting the goalposts at the last minute and insisted that threats would not resolve the dispute. He expressed willingness to return to negotiations.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting backed the prime minister, stating on X that if the BMA rejects the deal and strikes, its members will not receive the government's offer. He urged resolution before Easter weekend, noting that 'a deal on jobs and pay is on the table.'
