Streeting refutes allegations of altering pay agreement for resident doctors

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has denied altering the pay agreement for resident doctors, affirming the terms remain unchanged despite claims from the British Medical Association. He expressed readiness for further discussions while ongoing strikes continue to affect hospital operations.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has categorically denied that the government altered its pay agreement with resident doctors in an attempt to prevent industrial action over salary and working conditions. In a statement to the BBC, Streeting affirmed that the terms of the agreement have remained consistent, despite claims from the British Medical Association (BMA) suggesting otherwise.

Request for Further Negotiations

Streeting indicated his willingness to engage with representatives from the BMA's resident doctors’ committee for additional discussions. He stated that these efforts have been blocked, claiming the committee had "point blank refused" the opportunity for further meetings. In response, Dr. Jack Fletcher, chair of the resident doctors' committee, noted that earlier negotiations considered both one- and two-year settlement options. Dr. Fletcher explained that, at the final stage, the government insisted on a three-year agreement, which would include reduced investment.

Recent Industrial Action

The latest strike in England concluded at 06:59 on Monday. Doctors have announced a six-day strike, citing unresolved issues following the breakdown of negotiations. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged doctors to cancel the strike within 48 hours to allow for the implementation of a new jobs package. With the strike proceeding, the proposed jobs package is no longer accessible to striking doctors.

BMA’s Position on Negotiations

Dr. Fletcher emphasized that the BMA’s resident doctors’ committee remains open to discussions with the health secretary. He stated that throughout the dispute, the BMA has engaged in negotiations in good faith, aiming to reach a mutually acceptable solution.

Government Perspective on Pay

During an interview on BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Streeting highlighted that resident doctors received a 28.9% pay increase during the initial weeks of the current Labour government. He added that the existing agreement would have provided an additional average increase of 4.9% for this year, with some of the lowest-paid doctors receiving 7.1%. Despite cumulative pay increases totaling 33% over the last four years, the BMA maintains that doctors still earn approximately 20% less than in 2008 when adjusted for inflation.

Dispute Over Agreement Details

Addressing accusations of last-minute changes to the deal, Streeting told Victoria Derbyshire that modifying the agreement would not serve government interests. He suggested that either the BMA did not examine the agreement closely or chose to attribute responsibility to the government when presenting the matter to the committee. Streeting stated, "We've gone as far as we can. I'm never going to shut the door to the BMA, but I am not pretending to have solved all their problems in less than two years. There has to be some give and take."

Impact of the Latest Strike

In a letter shared on X prior to his interviews, Streeting expressed disappointment and frustration regarding the recent walkout. He acknowledged that while most of the agreement remains available, the strikes have delayed the introduction of 1,000 of the planned 4,500 additional training positions for the year.

Hospital Operations During Strikes

Despite the ongoing industrial action, hospitals report that they have been able to maintain operations effectively. Officials anticipate continued disruption as the six-day strike progresses, while efforts to ensure patient care and hospital functionality continue amid industrial action.

Sources:

• BBC News
• The Guardian
• Sky News
• Streeting denies changing pay deal for resident doctors