Streeting denies changing pay deal for resident doctors

Streeting Denies Altering Pay Agreement for Resident Doctors

Health Secretary Wes Streeting asserted to the BBC that the government had not modified its agreement with resident doctors to halt ongoing labor disputes concerning compensation and employment conditions. He emphasized the BMA’s resident doctors’ committee had “flatly declined” to accept the proposal, despite his intention to discuss it further.

Union’s Counterpoint on Negotiation Timeline

Dr. Jack Fletcher, leading the BMA resident doctors’ committee, clarified that discussions had centered on one- or two-year settlements. He pointed out the government had “unexpectedly insisted” on a three-year deal with “diminished funding” at the final stage. The current six-day strike in England is scheduled to conclude at 06:59 on Monday.

“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.”

Fletcher also confirmed the committee remained “ready to engage” with Streeting, highlighting the BMA’s “sincere efforts” to resolve the conflict. He reiterated that the union had consistently sought to find a mutually acceptable solution.

Pay Rise Claims and Inflation Adjustments

Streeting stated that resident doctors had achieved a “28.9% increase” during the initial phase of the Labour government. However, the BMA noted that despite a cumulative 33% raise over four years, doctors are still earning 20% less than in 2008 when adjusted for inflation.

Addressing the accusation of last-minute deal changes, Streeting argued it would not serve his or the government’s interests. He suggested the BMA might have “missed key details” or opted to “attribute responsibility to the administration” for convenience.

“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. The BMA need to stop pretending that I can, there has to be some give and take.”

The interview followed the release of a letter Streeting shared on X, expressing “dissatisfaction” over the recent strike. He noted that “most of the agreement persists,” but the “economic and logistical strain” from the latest walkouts had prevented the addition of 1,000 training spots among the 4,500 planned for this year.