Streeting denies changing pay deal for resident doctors
Streeting denies changing pay deal for resident doctors
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has asserted that the government “categorically” did not revise the pay arrangement with resident doctors, which is at the center of a recent dispute. He emphasized that the current six-day strike in England would conclude by 06:59 on Monday, yet he insisted the deal remained unchanged. Streeting proposed meeting with the “organ grinders” from the British Medical Association (BMA) resident doctors’ committee, but claimed they had “point blank refused” further discussions.
“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.”
Dr. Jack Fletcher, the chair of the BMA’s resident doctors’ committee, responded by stating that one- or two-year settlements were discussed during negotiations. He argued that the government last-minute insistence on a three-year deal, with reduced investment, was a key point of contention. Despite acknowledging a 28.9% pay rise within the first weeks of the Labour government, Streeting defended the offer, claiming it was fair and that the BMA had not read the details carefully.
“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.”
Fletcher reiterated that the BMA committee remains “open and willing to meet with the health secretary,” while stressing that the union had “negotiated in good faith” throughout the dispute. He added that the BMA’s stance was to ensure a resolution, even as Streeting suggested the union was “more convenient to blame the government” for any last-minute adjustments. Hours before the interview, Streeting had shared a letter on X expressing “disappointment and frustration” over the latest walkout, noting that most of the deal remained intact but the financial strain of the strikes prevented adding 1,000 of the 4,500 extra training spots to the current year.
