On Friday, July 25, 2025, thousands of resident doctors in England, represented by the British Medical Association (BMA), began a five-day strike starting at 7:00 AM, following failed negotiations with the Labour government for a new pay increase. The walkout, affecting non-emergency services across NHS hospitals, comes despite a September 2024 agreement for a 22.3% pay rise over two years, which included a 4.05% backdated increase for 2023/24 and an 8% average uplift for 2024/25. BMA co-chairs Dr. Melissa Ryan and Dr. Ross Nieuwoudt stated that real-term pay has eroded by over 21% since 2008, arguing, “We’re not working 21% less hard so why should our pay suffer?” The BMA, with a 90.05% strike mandate from a 55.32% turnout of 53,766 eligible doctors, demands a credible path to full pay restoration, estimating a 26% uplift is needed to reverse the decline.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, writing in The Times, warned that the strike would “cause real damage” to the NHS, risking patient lives and exacerbating waiting lists, urging doctors not to follow the BMA’s “damaging road.” Health Secretary Wes Streeting, in a Telegraph letter, called the action “reckless” and said the government cannot afford further pay increases this year, despite offering non-pay concessions like covering mandatory exam fees and improving training placements. The strike, the 12th since 2023, follows last year’s disruptions that cancelled tens of thousands of appointments. Public support has waned, with Ipsos polling showing approval for strikes dropping from 52% to 26% since July 2024, and 43% disapproving of Labour’s union negotiations. The government insists on adhering to the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) recommendations for 2025/26, with evidence on funding to be submitted post the October 30, 2025, Autumn Budget.
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