Streeting denies changing pay deal for resident doctors
Streeting denies changing pay deal for resident doctors
In a recent interview with the BBC, Health Secretary Wes Streeting asserted that the government had not altered the pay agreement with resident doctors to halt ongoing strikes. He emphasized the deal remained unchanged, though he expressed frustration over the union’s refusal to accept it. Streeting proposed meeting with the BMA’s resident doctors’ committee, calling them the “organ grinders,” but claimed they had “point blank refused” the terms.
“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,” he stated during the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme.
Dr. Jack Fletcher, head of the BMA resident doctors’ committee, countered by stating that one or two-year settlements were discussed during negotiations. He argued the government imposed a three-year deal at the last moment, reducing investment. The current six-day strike in England is set to conclude at 06:59 on Monday.
Fletcher reiterated the BMA’s openness to further talks with Streeting, noting the union had consistently “negotiated in good faith” to resolve the dispute. He also highlighted that resident doctors received a 28.9% pay increase within the first weeks of the Labour government’s tenure.
Streeting defended the deal, asserting it would not be in the government’s or his interest to alter it. He suggested the BMA either overlooked the details or chose to blame the government for convenience. “We’ve gone as far as we can,” he said, adding, “I’m never going to shut the door to the BMA, but they need to stop pretending I can solve all their problems in less than two years.”
The interview followed the release of a letter on X, where Streeting expressed “disappointment and frustration” over the latest walkout. He noted that while most of the deal remains available, the financial and operational strain of the strikes made it impossible to add 1,000 of the 4,500 extra training spots for this year.