Labour's Pay Rise Policy Emboldens Junior Doctor Strikes: A Threat to the NHS

Strategic Insights -

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is facing a fifth five-day strike by junior doctors as the British Medical Association (BMA) demands an even bigger pay rise, following last year's 22 per cent pay award. The BMA, however, has suffered a collapse in public support, with only 33 per cent now backing strike action, according to a YouGov poll. This shift in public opinion, coupled with the Government's spending concerns and the comparative generosity of doctors' pensions, makes the BMA's demands increasingly unrealistic.

Key Takeaways:

  • The BMA is demanding a 29 per cent pay rise for junior doctors, following last year's 22 per cent award, with a five-day strike threatened if it is not met.
  • A YouGov poll has found that only 33 per cent of the public now supports strike action by junior doctors, down from a majority before last year's pay award.
  • The BMA does not need a majority of its members to vote in favour of strike action, thanks to the repeal of Conservative legislation, and does not have to worry about minimum service levels on strike days.
  • The average pay rise for junior doctors is 5.4 per cent this year, higher than the offer to any other group of workers.
  • The BMA's claim that junior doctors need a 29 per cent rise to restore their earnings to 2008 levels relies on the discredited Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation.
  • Junior doctors may earn over £100,000 per year when including overtime payments, and not all BMA members support the strikes.
  • 55 per cent of BMA members voted in the ballot, and not all junior doctors are members of the BMA.

Statistics:

  • 33 per cent of the public now supports strike action by junior doctors (YouGov poll).
  • 49 per cent of the public opposes strike action by junior doctors (YouGov poll).
  • 22 per cent pay rise awarded to junior doctors last year.
  • 29 per cent pay rise demanded by the BMA.
  • 5.4 per cent pay rise awarded to junior doctors this year.
  • 48,000 junior doctors claimed to be BMA members out of 77,000 working in the NHS.
  • 55 per cent of BMA members voted in the ballot.
  • Extra 23.7 per cent pension contribution paid by taxpayers for doctors' pensions.
  • Junior doctors may earn over £100,000 per year when including overtime payments.

Sources:

  • Ross Clark, "WHAT on Earth was Labour expecting? Coming to power last year, it awarded junior doctors a 22 per cent pay rise. And simultaneously it abolished legislation brought in by the Conservatives to make it harder for public sector unions to hold the country to ransom." (Source: Ross Clark, WHAT on Earth was Labour expecting?)