Overview
- The ballot runs from 8 December to 2 February, with the current mandate expiring in January and a successful vote extending it by six months.
- The BMA says members are being asked about action over job shortages and severe pay erosion, with committee chair Dr Jack Fletcher arguing a deal on pay and security is overdue.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting criticized the plan and urged talks, citing a 28.9% pay rise over three years and an offer on career progression and professional costs that he says the BMA rejected.
- The NHS Confederation estimates each round of strikes costs roughly £250 million, and it puts the last five-day walkout at about £300 million, warning this could force service reductions.
- Resident doctors last staged a five-day strike from 14 to 19 November across England.