Overview

• The British Medical Association (BMA) will open a strike ballot for resident doctors from May 27 to July 7, 2025.
• The ballot follows a meeting with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who refused to pledge to restore real-terms pay to 2008 levels by 2027.
• Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, have seen a 22.3% decline in real-terms pay since 2008, according to the BMA.
• If approved, the strike mandate would allow industrial action or other measures from July 2025 to January 2026.
• Health leaders, including NHS Employers, urge continued dialogue with the government to avoid further disruption to NHS services, which have already faced cancellations of nearly 1.5 million appointments due to past strikes.