Doctors strike in England called off after new offer from government

A planned four-day strike by resident doctors in England next week has been called off, the British Medical Association (BMA) has announced.

The NHS walkouts were set to begin at 7am on Monday, 15 June, and end at 6.59am on Friday, 19 June.

The BMA said the government had made "a new offer covering jobs, pay and progression" which its members will now vote on.

Health Secretary James Murray called it a "positive and welcome development... that the BMA called off these unnecessary strikes".

He continued: "After a 28.9% pay rise for resident doctors over the last three years, the country simply cannot afford to increase the pay offer for this year.

"I am pleased that the BMA have recognised this, which has allowed us to make progress in other areas, such as training places and working conditions."

Mr Murray called it a "good deal for resident doctors" which "boosts their pay", adding that "all the necessary funding is coming from existing budgets".

The offer is understood to include standard 2016 resident doctor contract terms for all locally employed doctors and an average 6.6% pay uplift to be fully implemented by April 2027.

BMA: Just wanted 'fair offer'

Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA's resident doctors committee, said "we will always negotiate in good faith and strikes are a last resort", but the government had changed its stance.

"This should not have been left to the last moment, but we hold up our end of the bargain when the government shifts its position.

"All we have asked for is a fair offer that secures enough jobs to tackle the madness of doctor unemployment and take steps to address the erosion of our pay.

"Tens of thousands of frontline doctors will now vote in a referendum on whether this offer is sufficient."

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The planned walkout would have marked the 16th strike from resident doctors since 2023, with the previous one lasting for six days over the Easter holiday.

Professor Frankie Swords, national medical director at NHS England, had previously said the health service faced a "triple whammy of pressure" as the planned strike would have coincided with warm weather and the World Cup.

If resident doctors in England reject the offer, Dr Fletcher said the BMA "will have to continue our plans for further escalated action". Currently, their mandate for strike action runs until August.

Some BMA strikes still on

Separate ballots are currently taking place for senior staff in England, covering consultants and SAS (Specialist, Associate Specialist and Specialty) doctors, after the BMA rejected a 3.5% pay offer.

Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, BMA members have backed strike action over the same offer, which they say amounts to "pay erosion".

Resident doctors there will walk out for 24 hours on Monday, 29 June, while consultants and SAS doctors are due to reduce their work to "Christmas Day cover" for 24 hours on Thursday 25 June.

(c) Sky News 2026: Doctors strike in England called off after new offer from government