UK: Resident Doctors Reject Pay Offer Ahead of Strikes

Published 7 hours ago

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Above: Health Secretary Wes Streeting in Liverpool, England, on Sept. 30, 2025. Image copyright: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The Spin

Left narrative

Doctors face a devastating workforce crisis with 30,000 applicants competing for just 10,000 training positions. Despite last year's deal, real wages remain 20% below 2008 levels, creating an unsustainable retention crisis. The government's token offer of 2,000 extra jobs is woefully inadequate and reflects a deliberate choice to let the NHS collapse.

Vox Political

Aadam Aziz on X

Right narrative

Doctors demanding a further 29% pay rise after already receiving significant wage increases over three years are engaging in reckless posturing that harms patients. The country faces dire fiscal constraints with no money available for such excessive demands — these strikes selfishly divert critical resources away from rebuilding the NHS.

Wes Streeting on X The Telegraph