Junior doctors announce new 72-hour strike as pay talks collapse

Junior doctors will walk out for 72 hours next month after the latest round of pay talks broke down. The strike will take place in England from 7am on Wednesday, June 14 until 7am on Saturday, June 17.

The British Medical Association, which represents doctors and medical students in the UK, described the government's five per cent wage rise offer as an 'insult'. They wrote: "Today, we announce a 3rd round of industrial action from 14 – 17 June.

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"The Government's 5% pay increase offer is an insult to junior doctors in England. There's nothing junior about junior doctors, yet our pay has been cut by 26.1% since 2008.

"We're simply asking to be paid what we are worth. The Government know this is not a credible offer, it's a delaying tactic.

"They've left us with no option but to return to the picket lines. They have failed to recognise our pay erosion, failed to recognise our efforts through COVID and are now failing us and the NHS again.

"When ministers are ready to address pay restoration and make a credible offer, we'll be ready to talk. They can end this dispute tomorrow.

"Until then, we will keep striking throughout the summer, for as long as we have a mandate. Stick together, fight together, win together."

A government spokesperson said: "It is both surprising and deeply disappointing that the BMA Junior Doctors Committee has declared further strike action while constructive talks were ongoing. These will be hugely disruptive for patients and put pressure on other NHS staff.

"We made a fair and reasonable opening offer, and were in active discussions about both pay and non-pay issues. Unfortunately, it seems the BMA is unwilling to move