Streeting denies changing pay deal for resident doctors

Streeting denies changing pay deal for resident doctors

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has stated to the BBC that the government “categorically” did not alter the existing agreement with resident doctors to resolve ongoing disputes about salaries and working conditions. He emphasized his willingness to engage with the British Medical Association (BMA) representatives, though he claimed they had “point blank refused” further discussions.

“Resident doctors had a 28.9% pay rise within the first weeks of this Labour government. 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.”

The current six-day walkout in England is scheduled to conclude at 06:59 on Monday. In response to the dispute, Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA resident doctors’ committee, reiterated that the BMA has “negotiated in good faith with a genuine desire to reach a resolution.” He also noted that the committee remains “open and willing to meet with the health secretary.”

Fletcher stated that one or two-year settlements were considered during talks, but the government “insisted at the very last minute” on a three-year deal with “reduced investment.” This led to the current industrial action. Streeting countered that the BMA’s claim of a last-minute change was not in his or the government’s interest, suggesting the union “didn’t read the detail” of the agreement or “faced with that enormous committee” chose to “conveniently blame the government.”

“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.”

Minutes before the interview, Streeting shared a letter on X addressed to the doctors’ union, expressing “disappointment and frustration” over the latest strike. He acknowledged that “most of the deal remains on the table” but highlighted the “financial and operational impact” of the strikes made it “impossible” to increase 1,000 of the 4,500 additional training spots this year.