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Exclusive: Health Secretary Wes Streeting sends a warning to doctors after strike threats
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June 9, 2025
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11:56Now PlayingMore doctors strikes are the 'last thing the NHS needs' and the BMA must call off threats, says the Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
The Health Secretary's told LBC he has "loads of sympathy" with the British Medical Association - but warned the public won't back more walkouts after their 28 per cent pay hike last year.
He's urged them to work with him and leave industrial action as a "last resort" - saying he's willing to meet and doesn't have his 'fingers in his ears'.
It comes after he told them last weekend he wouldn't be able to afford their demands for higher pay this year.
In England, resident doctors are getting an average pay hike of 5.4 per cent - including a £750 consolidated payment.
But the British Medical Association are already threatening fresh walkouts, saying another 20 per cent is needed to get them back to the pay they were seeing in 2008.
They're balloting on fresh industrial action, which runs until July 7, with more strikes possible from next year.
In an interview with LBC, Mr Streeting also:
- Said he was happy with what he's got from the Chancellor - insisting she will prioritise the NHS
- Admits it's a bumpy time for NHS chiefs as they have to balance budgets and implement huge reforms
- Refused to say when the 8 am scramble for an appointment will end but insists we're "moving in the right direction"
- Hinted he would take action to curb the powers of physician associates in a bid to win them over
Mr Streeting said the NHS can't afford to pay doctors more - and pointed to new polling showing there's no support among the public for another round of walkouts.
Recent YouGov polling showed that only 39 per cent of the public support doctors striking over pay, down from 52 per cent when junior doctors went on strike last summer.
He told LBC: "There's no doubt that strikes are the last thing the NHS need right now.
"I think it's the last thing the resident doctors themselves need, certainly the last thing that patients need."
When asked what his message to resident doctors was, he said: "I think a lot of the public agree with what I've just said and will understand that.
"What I'd say to resident doctors and NHS staff who are listening is this - If I had my fingers in my ears, and I was saying, ‘get stuffed on pay. And I don't agree with you about the conditions you're working in, and I'm not interested. I'm never going to speak to you’, I‘d sort of understand strike action.
"But you've got, in me and in this government, a Health Secretary who, in just 10 months has given you a 28.9% average pay rise.
"Because I didn't just do my first year as Health Secretary, I had to sort out the last two of the previous government. 28.9%. You might not think that goes as far as you wanted, but I think anyone listening would think ‘I'd like a 28.9% pay rise’."
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#natashaclark #nhs #health #ukpolitics #labour #uknews #wesstreeting #keirstarmer #rachelreeves #ukeconomy #strike #juniordoctors #juniordoctorsstrike #LBC
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