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Resident doctors in England are set to strike from November 14 to November 19, marking their 13th industrial action since March 2023. This ongoing dispute centers on pay, with the British Medical Association (BMA), the union representing these medics, continuing to challenge the government’s offer. While the government asserts that resident doctors have benefitted from pay increases amounting to nearly 30% over the last three years, the BMA contends these rises are insufficient to meet the demands of the profession.
Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors until a government-led role name change in September 2024, constitute about half of all doctors in England. Patients in various NHS settings—including emergency departments and GP surgeries—are likely to encounter these professionals. Resident doctors are fully qualified medical practitioners who have completed their degrees, and many proceed to specialise in certain fields of medicine or surgery, or train to become general practitioners. Their training period can be extensive; some have recently graduated, whereas others may have accumulated over ten years of clinical experience, managing most aspects of patient care.
Regarding remuneration, resident doctors at the start of their careers earn a basic salary of £38,831 during their first foundation year, which increases to £44,439 in their second year. Additional pay is provided for unsociable hours such as nights and weekends. Those with eight or more years of experience can expect salaries around £73,000. Between 2023 and 2024, a 22% pay raise was implemented over two years, followed by an extra 5.4% increase from August 2025. Despite these increments, the BMA argues that wages have declined by approximately 20% in real terms compared to 2008, a gap that remains even after the latest adjustments.
The core of the dispute lies in differing perspectives on inflation and pay fairness. The government calculates pay increases using the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), concluding that current rates are appropriate. Conversely, the BMA points to the Retail Prices Index (RPI) to highlight the real financial pressures on resident doctors, especially considering their significant student debt, which accrues interest based on RPI, a higher inflation figure. Independent analysis by the Nuffield Trust supports the union’s view, showing a pay decline of nearly 20% using RPI, compared to a 5% drop with CPI measurement.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting maintains that resident doctors have seen the largest pay rises among public sector workers in recent years and has ruled out further pay increases. In October, the BMA dismissed a government offer that included covering mandatory exam fees and expanding specialist training posts by 2,000 positions—a move intended to help more doctors progress in their careers. However, the union argues that the increase in posts still leaves many without jobs at a critical training stage and reiterated that pay must also be addressed. The union indicated it would suspend strikes only if a multi-year pay deal restoring wages over time is agreed upon but expressed frustration over the lack of progress.
During the strike period, which runs from 7:00 on November 14 to 7:00 on November 19, the NHS urges patients to seek care as usual. Life-threatening emergency situations warrant calling 999 or attending A&E, while urgent but non-emergency concerns should be directed to NHS 111 online or by phone. GP practices are expected to remain open, with most scheduled outpatient appointments and procedures proceeding as planned. Hospitals have been instructed to minimize cancellations, aiming for at least 95% of planned activities to continue during strike days. Nevertheless, NHS leaders acknowledge significant disruption from previous strike waves, with over 500,000 appointments and procedures delayed or rescheduled between July 2023 and February 2024. The current strike comes amidst heightened winter pressures, including a rising number of flu cases. It should be noted that this strike affects England only; Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are not involved.
In May 2025, the government announced salary increases for various public sector workers. These included 4.5% for UK armed forces members (3.75% for senior ranks), 4% for other doctors, dentists, teachers in England, and prison officers in England and Wales, 3.6% for certain NHS staff such as nurses and midwives, and 3.25% for civil servants. The BMA argues that resident doctors deserve greater pay recognition due to the longer duration of medical training—often five to six years—and the associated higher student debt. Furthermore, resident doctors frequently have little say over their work location or hours, and the necessity to relocate for placements can incur additional personal costs
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