Wes Streeting returns to talks with doctors to avert NHS strike

Health Secretary Wes Streeting will restart negotiations with the British Medical Association's resident doctors committee this week after a five-day strike in December; the dispute centres on pay demands and the number of training posts for junior doctors.

Wes Streeting will resume negotiations with representatives of the British Medical Association this week in an effort to prevent further strike action by resident doctors. The talks follow a five-day walkout in mid‑December and centre on pay levels and creation of more NHS training places. The Health Secretary has said he will meet the chair of the BMA's Resident Doctors Committee. Both sides remain publicly at odds over pay but are returning to the table. Key facts: - Resident doctors staged a five‑day strike in December that disrupted some NHS services. - Health Secretary Wes Streeting will meet the chair of the BMA's Resident Doctors Committee this week and resume talks. - The BMA is seeking a 26% pay increase over the next few years and more training posts, and cites a roughly 20% fall in real pay since 2008 using the Retail Price Index. - The government cites affordability limits and refers to the Consumer Price Index, which it says shows resident doctor pay down about 5% since 2008; the parties remain apart on pay but have discussed workforce numbers. Summary: The renewed talks are intended to avert further industrial action and reduce disruption to NHS services. Officials have scheduled meetings this week while the BMA is conducting a ballot that could seek a fresh strike mandate. It is unclear yet whether those meetings will produce a settlement.