Resident Doctors Begin Six-Day Strike in England
Resident doctors in English hospitals commenced a six-day strike at 7am today. While many will continue working, a sufficient number are participating in the strike to significantly affect hospital care delivery. This marks the 15th strike by resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, since their campaign began in 2023 to restore their pay to pre-austerity levels following the financial crash.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting Criticizes BMA Over Strike Costs
This morning, Health Secretary Wes Streeting introduced a new statistic in his public relations campaign against the British Medical Association (BMA), the union organizing the strikes. He confirmed a figure reported by indicating that strikes by resident doctors have cost the country £3 billion.
In an interview on the Today programme, when asked if this was an official government figure, Streeting stated:
"We think that strikes cost £50m a day. And so that is, an accurate reflection of the cost of these strikes."
However, when challenged with the BMA's claim that the £3 billion figure approximates the cost of granting the pay rise demanded by resident doctors, Streeting rejected this comparison, responding:
"What is true is that in order to deliver a full pay restoration back to 2008 levels, using the RPI account of inflation, it would cost in the order of £3bn a year.
Let’s then assume that other NHS staff would understandably demand the same. Then that cost would be more like £30bn a year. That is more than the entire cost of the Ministry of Justice’s entire budget for running the criminal justice system."
Streeting's remarks highlight the core issue of the BMA's stance. Despite being the largest beneficiaries of public sector pay increases under the current government—receiving a 28.9% increase since this administration took office—resident doctors proceeded with strike action within weeks of the government's term beginning.
Further insights from Andrew Gregory and Peter Walker regarding Streeting's comments on the strike are available here. Additional excerpts from Streeting’s broadcast interviews this morning will be shared shortly.
Schedule of Events for the Day
- 7am: Resident doctors commenced a six-day strike in England. It should be noted that some doctors have historically chosen to continue working rather than participate in BMA-organized strikes.
- 9.15am: John Swinney, SNP leader and Scottish First Minister, will hold a campaign event focusing on fuel prices.
- 9.30am: Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader, will conduct a campaign event centered on pothole policy.
- 2pm: Russell Findlay, Scottish Conservative leader, will launch his manifesto.
- 11.30am: Downing Street will host a lobby briefing.
- Morning: Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leader, will campaign in Newcastle.
- 12.30pm: Nigel Farage, Reform Party leader, will hold a press conference in Warwickshire.
- Afternoon: Military planners from approximately 35 countries will convene at the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, north-west London, to discuss options following the conclusion of the Iran war.
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