LONDON, December 22, 2025 – Resident doctors—the updated term for junior doctors—are intensifying pressure on the government, calling for a “genuinely long-term plan” to address pay concerns and expand training opportunities for medical specialists. This comes as 65% of union members participated in the 14th strike action since March 2023, signaling a deepening dispute.
Doctors Demand Sustainable Solutions to Pay and Training Crisis
The ongoing industrial action highlights growing frustration among resident doctors over stagnant wages and limited career progression.
- Resident doctors are seeking a long-term plan to address pay and training.
- The latest strike involved participation from 65% of union members.
- Doctors argue their pay has effectively decreased by a fifth since 2008, factoring in inflation.
- The government acknowledges the dispute but cites affordability concerns regarding the union’s demands.
The doctors’ union contends that resident doctors’ pay is currently 20% lower than it was in 2008 when adjusted for inflation. This year, they received an average pay increase of 5.4%, a figure the union deems insufficient. The core of the dispute revolves around securing fair compensation and ensuring adequate resources for doctors to specialize and advance their careers.
What is the primary concern of resident doctors? Resident doctors are primarily concerned about the erosion of their pay due to inflation and the limited opportunities for specialized training and career advancement.
Health Minister Mark Streeting, during a visit to an ambulance station in London last week, expressed a desire to resolve the conflict. “I do want to end this dispute,” he stated. “I don’t want us to be locked in a bitter dispute, and I’m never going to shut the door to talks, and I will do my best to see if we can start 2026 off on a better foot.”
However, Streeting also indicated that the union’s demands are financially unrealistic. He explained that the British Medical Association (BMA) is “demanding an extra 26% on top of what we’ve already given,” adding, “That is not a figure that we can afford but we will get around the table with them again in the new year.” The impasse suggests a challenging path forward, with both sides maintaining firm positions.
