Resident doctors in England are set to stage a four-day strike in June, commencing on Monday, June 15th, and concluding on Friday, June 19th. This marks the 16th instance of industrial action in an ongoing dispute over pay. The announcement follows a meeting between representatives of the British Medical Association (BMA) resident doctors' committee and the new Health Secretary, James Murray, which concluded without a resolution.
The BMA states that Mr. Murray has indicated no improvement on the previously rejected government offer, characterizing further pay increase demands as "unrealistic, unaffordable, and unsustainable." The union is seeking a 24% pay rise, in addition to a 33.4% uplift received over the past four years. Mr. Murray, who replaced Wes Streeting earlier this month, has reiterated the government's position that substantial further increases are not feasible, citing the significant pay rise already awarded.
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The decision to strike was met with criticism from Matthew Hopkins, interim acute and ambulance network director at The NHS Alliance. He described the action as "rash and wholly irresponsible," warning of consequences for patients.
The BMA has also indicated that further industrial action may occur in July if progress towards their demands is not made. The union's core demands include a "credible, meaningful offer comprising concrete new jobs and real progress towards pay restoration." Resident doctors, encompassing those early in their careers up to a decade of experience, represent a significant portion of the medical workforce.
This latest strike action follows previous rounds, including a five-day walkout announced in October 2025 after earlier talks broke down. The government's prior offer had reportedly included increased training positions, accelerated career progression, and reimbursement for expenses.
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