Summary
Health Secretary Wes Streeting asked doctors in England to vote against going on strike. A ballot on industrial action begins, with doctors debating a proposed pay rise, while their union argues it's not enough compared to past inflation.
Key Facts
- Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, asked English doctors to vote "no" to striking.
- The vote on potential strikes among doctors starts on a Tuesday and ends on July 7.
- Resident doctors received a 5.4% average pay rise this year.
- The British Medical Association (BMA) wants a 20% pay increase to match 2008 levels.
- Streeting mentioned no extra money is available for more pay increases.
- Resident doctors have been part of 11 strikes between 2023 and 2024.
- The starting salary for a new doctor has risen by £9,500 over the last three years.
- Other health workers, like nurses and midwives, received a smaller pay rise of 3.6%.
