Home / Health / UK Resident Doctors Reject Pay Hike, Vow 5-Day Strike
UK Resident Doctors Reject Pay Hike, Vow 5-Day Strike
12 Nov
Summary
- Health Secretary urges doctors to cancel strike, but they demand 26% pay rise
- NHS chief calls for maintaining emergency care and elective procedures
- Doctors have received 28.9% pay increase over past two years
As of November 12th, 2025, the UK Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, is urgently appealing to resident doctors to call off their planned 5-day strike, set to begin on Friday. The strike, organized by the British Medical Association (BMA), is expected to significantly impact the National Health Service (NHS).
Despite the Health Secretary's pleas, the BMA is refusing to back down, demanding a 26% pay increase to counter what they claim is "pay erosion over time." However, Streeting has stated that the government cannot afford to move further on pay, citing the challenging public finances.
In response, the NHS England chief executive, Sir Jim Mackey, has written to trust leaders, urging them to maintain the majority of services during the strike. Mackey has set a target of keeping at least 95% of elective care activities running, as well as prioritizing emergency care, maternity services, and urgent planned surgeries, including cancer treatment.
The Health Secretary has expressed his frustration, noting that resident doctors have already received a 28.9% pay increase from the government over the past two years, the highest in the public sector. Streeting has also offered to create 1,000 additional training jobs and cover other out-of-pocket expenses, but the BMA remains steadfast in its demand for a 26% pay rise.
