Junior doctors could earn more than £100,000 in deal to end strikes
Junior doctors have accepted a pay offer that would end strikes that are causing misery to patients and costing the NHS billions of pounds.
The British Medical Association said its members voted in favor of the deal worth an extra 6.6 per cent this year.
This means paramedics, formerly known as junior doctors, will earn on average 35.2 per cent more than four years ago, with some earning more than £100,000 a year without qualifying as consultants.
Health Secretary James Murray described the development as ‘very good news for junior doctors, patients and the NHS’.
But the Conservatives accused Labor of ‘shaking the magic money tree to bribe the BMA’ and warned it would not prevent ‘more damaging future strikes’.
Thousands of paramedics in England were due to go on a four-day strike on June 15 in what would be the 16th round of strike action since 2023.
However, this offer was canceled on June 13 after the union agreed to make an offer to members as a last resort.
The BMA said 53 per cent voted in favor of the proposal, with a turnout of 57 per cent.
Junior doctors have accepted a pay offer that will end years of strikes and see them earn 35.2 per cent more on average than four years ago (pictured: Junior doctors standing guard outside the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast on 29 June 2026)
Health Secretary James Murray described the development as “very good news for junior doctors, patients and the NHS”
The plan includes an average salary increase of 6.6 per cent to be fully implemented by April 2027, reforms to the doctors’ pay structure to provide two pay rises per year, 4,500 more specialist training places and greater reimbursement of compulsory fees such as professional memberships and examinations.
A source close to Mr Murray, who backs Labor leadership hopeful Andy Burnham and appears keen to keep his job, said: ‘It is no coincidence that James was able to end this 14-month dispute in five weeks.
‘This is proof that his professional, calm, determined but fair approach is truly effective. James gets things done.’
Junior doctors’ strikes cost the NHS £3bn; Each day of industrial action cost £50 million.
The BMA had warned its members that strikes would ‘increase in intensity’ if they rejected the deal.
He has already stated that he would be ready to strike again if the Government did not provide generous wage increases in the coming years.
From the BMA’s resident doctors committee, Dr. Jack Fletcher said: ‘This is what constructive negotiations can achieve. We hope that next time these can be done without the need to form even a single picket line; All it takes is a government willing to think forward and think creatively.’
