London, July 25, 2025 — Starting at 7 a.m. today, around 50,000 resident doctors across England have commenced a five-day strike, set to end at 7 a.m. on July 30, in a dispute over pay and working conditions.
The British Medical Association (BMA) demands roughly a 29% pay increase to restore salaries to pre-2008 levels, citing a real-terms pay cut of around 20–21% depending on how inflation is measured.
Doctors point out job adverts for physician assistants offering up to £24/hour, while newly qualified resident doctors earn about £18.62/hour, highlighting deep disparities.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made a last‑minute plea urging doctors not to strike, warning that the action would “cause real damage” and jeopardize NHS recovery efforts. He framed strike action as a damaging path where “everyone loses”.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting defended the current pay rise—28.9% awarded over recent years—and emphasized that the government can’t afford further pay increases this year. However, he said improvements in working conditions, training support, and student debt relief remain on the table.
NHS England has assured the public that GP surgeries, A&E, urgent care, and NHS 111 will remain operational, and most scheduled appointments will proceed unless specifically cancelled.
Hospital chiefs plan to deploy consultants paid up to £313/hour to cover emergency services. However, up to 40% of routine work may still be affected in some trusts.
Public support for the strike has declined significantly, with just 11% expressing strong support, and over 50% now opposing it. Sympathy for resident doctors is waning amid concerns about disruption to healthcare access.
Political tensions are mounting: the strike poses a major test for Labour’s NHS agenda, and opponents warn it could fuel support for privatization advocates like Nigel Farage.
Who is striking: Up to 50,000 resident doctors.
Demand: About 29% pay restoration.
Earlier raises: Doctor pay has already risen ~28.9% over recent years.
Government stance: No further pay rises this year; open to negotiation on work conditions.
Service impact: Emergency and urgent care to continue; routine appointments may be disrupted.
