Resident doctors across England are set to stage a six-day strike in April after rejecting the government’s latest pay proposal, intensifying an ongoing dispute that has already placed significant

strain on the National Health Service (NHS).

The industrial action, announced by the British Medical Association (BMA), is scheduled to run from April 7 to April 13. It follows weeks of negotiations that ultimately broke down, with union leaders arguing that the offer fails to reverse years of declining real-term pay.

The BMA, which represents around 55,000 resident doctors—nearly half of England’s medical workforce—said the proposed deal does not adequately address long-standing concerns over pay erosion and staffing shortages. According to the union, doctors’ earnings have fallen substantially in real terms over the past decade, contributing to growing dissatisfaction and an exodus of medical professionals seeking better opportunities abroad.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed disappointment over the decision, criticizing the union’s demands as unrealistic. He argued that, under recent government reforms, resident doctors would have seen their pay improve by more than 35% compared to four years ago.

The government’s proposal includes a 3.5% pay increase for the 2026/27 period, in line with recommendations from the independent pay review body. It also outlines phased changes to pay progression over three years, reimbursement of mandatory exam fees starting in April 2026, and the creation of between 4,000 and 4,500 additional specialty training positions.

Despite these measures, the BMA maintains that the deal falls short. Union representatives have raised concerns about the multi-year structure of the offer, warning it could lock in below-inflation pay increases and further erode earnings over time.

Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, said the union could not endorse an agreement that “barely treads water,” especially as increasing numbers of doctors consider leaving the UK for higher-paying roles overseas. He emphasized that strike action could still be avoided if the government returns with a more compelling offer.

Streeting, however, signaled little room for furtherفاوضiation, stating that the current proposal represents the government’s best and final offer. He cautioned that ongoing disruption and rising costs could make it difficult to revisit the deal in the future.

Meanwhile, similar concerns are emerging beyond England. Union bodies in Northern Ireland and Wales have also criticized the 3.5% pay recommendation, warning that continued below-inflation increases risk damaging morale and could trigger further industrial action across the UK.