The British Medical Association (BMA) has declared that senior doctors in England will hold two days of strikes in August, following the government’s announcement of a 6% pay rise, which they view as a “savage” real-term wage reduction. The strikes, scheduled for August 24 and 25, will join previously announced industrial actions on July 20 and 21, underscoring the ongoing failure to resolve the months-long dispute between the medical profession and the government.
The strikes by consultant-level doctors within the National Health Service (NHS) come despite the recent efforts of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to bring an end to industrial actions across public services. Sunak had characterized the recent public sector pay increases as a final settlement, citing the significant cost they would impose, the necessity of budget cuts in other areas, and the absence of further negotiation possibilities.
While teaching unions have temporarily paused strikes and advised their members to accept the proposed settlement, doctors’ unions remain dissatisfied, citing years of pay erosion and a lack of progress in addressing their concerns. Vishal Sharma, chair of the BMA’s consultants committee, expressed disappointment, stating, “The government has once again imposed a savage real-terms pay cut on consultants. In the face of a government intent on devaluing consultants’ expertise and their lack of regard for the impact this is having on the NHS, we have been left with no choice.”
The persistently high inflation rate in Britain, which has remained elevated for over a year, reaching its peak above 11% in October and most recently measuring 8.7% in May, has further compounded the doctors’ concerns. These figures represent the highest inflation rate among major developed economies. The doctors argue that the government’s proposed pay increase does not adequately account for the rising cost of living and the erosion of their real wages.
The strikes scheduled for this week will mark the first instance of consultants participating in the ongoing pay dispute. Consequently, the NHS is expected to face a significant strain, as most routine and elective services will be cancelled during the strike period. However, emergency cover will remain in place to ensure essential medical care is provided.
Simultaneously, junior doctors in England, who make up nearly half of the medical workforce, are currently in the midst of a five-day walkout. The BMA describes this as the longest single strike in its history, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the NHS and intensifying the need for a resolution.
