Resident Doctors' Strike Support Wanes Amid Inflation-Busting Pay Rises

Strategic Insights -

Resident doctors in the UK, formerly known as junior doctors, have seen their public support for strike action dwindle despite receiving significant pay increases. A recent poll by YouGov found that 48% of British adults oppose resident doctors going on strike, while only 39% support them taking action. This shift in opinion marks a departure from last summer's survey, where 52% of respondents were in favour of striking junior doctors. The doctors have been pushing for higher pay, citing that they are paid 23% less in real terms than they were in 2008.

Key Takeaways:

  • Resident doctors have received an inflation-busting 5.4% pay rise for this financial year, almost doubling the initial budgeted amount by the Government and exceeding the 3.6% given to other staff.
  • The pay rise follows a 22% uplift accepted by the British Medical Association's (BMA) members from Labour last year to end their dispute.
  • A new poll by YouGov suggests that 48% of Britons oppose resident doctors going on strike, while only 39% support them taking action.
  • The poll marks a shift in opinion, with a previous survey last summer finding 52% of Britons in support of striking junior doctors.
  • Resident doctors are threatening to go on strike again, with a ballot set to close on July 7, and potential walkouts beginning in July and lasting until January 2026.
  • Conservative MPs have criticized Labour's decision to "cave in" to union demands on pay rises, warning that it has emboldened further disruption.

Statistics:

  • 48% of British adults oppose resident doctors going on strike (YouGov poll).
  • 39% of British adults support resident doctors taking strike action (YouGov poll).
  • Resident doctors have seen their pay rise by 28.9% compared to three years ago (Health Secretary Wes Streeting).
  • The average starting salary of a full-time resident doctor is now around £38,800, up nearly £9,500 since 2022/23 (Health Secretary Wes Streeting).
  • The pay rise for NHS staff on the agenda for change banding system is set to cost the Government an extra £1 billion per year alone.
  • Over £2 billion was lost in appointments and treatment during the last series of industrial action (Patients' Association).

Sources:

  • YouGov poll of 4,100 British adults.
  • Health Secretary Wes Streeting's statement on Tuesday.
  • Conservative MPs Edward Argar and Steve Barclay's statements in The Telegraph.
  • Patients' Association chief executive Rachel Power's statement.
  • The British Medical Association's resident doctors' committee's statement.