Prime Minister threatens to cut 1,000 doctor training posts if BMA strike goes ahead

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer gave the British Medical Association (BMA) 48 hours to call off the planned six-day resident doctor strike in England or face losing 1,000 new training posts.

The BMA announced the walkout after doctors were offered a 3.5% pay rise, saying this did not match inflation and pay had not kept up since 2008. 

The 1,000 extra training places were part of a package to create at least 4,000 new speciality posts over three years. 

Expenses like exam fees would be covered and doctors would move through the pay bands faster. 

These training posts, starting in the summer, were set to open for applications soon.

Starmer stated in The Times that last week’s decision by the union to reject the Government’s offer and announce the strike was “reckless”. 

Talks between the two sides started in January after strikes in November and December. 

Health secretary Wes Streeting said he could not offer more pay after resident doctors received nearly 30% in increases over the past three years.