Thousands of resident doctors have launched their thirteenth round of industrial action, gathering outside St Thomas' Hospital in London on 14 November 2025 in one of the longest-running disputes in NHS history.
The Battle Over Pay Restoration
The British Medical Association and Health Secretary Wes Streeting remain poles apart in their positions. The union demands full pay restoration to 2008 levels, while the government insists there's no money available for such increases.
This latest strike marks the 50th day of industrial action since March 2023, with medics in scrubs maintaining picket lines outside hospitals across England. The BMA justifies the stoppage as necessary, while Streeting condemns it as irresponsible and risky.
The human cost continues to mount, with many thousands of patients experiencing cancelled appointments and surgeries as hospitals struggle to manage the disruption.
Historical Context and Growing Frustration
The dispute has outlasted four prime ministers, beginning when the BMA declared in June 2022 that junior doctors deserved full pay restoration. Since Boris Johnson's departure, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak and now Keir Starmer have all grappled with the union's demand to reverse the real-terms pay erosion that began during austerity measures.
There are 70,000 resident doctors in England, ranging from newly qualified medics to those nearing consultant level, with 60,000 belonging to the BMA.
Despite achieving a 28.9% pay increase over three years, including 22% under Labour, the union claims stubborn inflation means another 26% uplift is needed to reach 2008 levels.
Internal Politics and Militant Shift
The roots of the dispute extend beyond simple pay concerns to internal BMA politics. Many younger doctors felt betrayed by the union's handling of previous disputes, particularly the 2015/16 confrontation with Jeremy Hunt over weekend working.
This discontent culminated in a 2022 coup by the previously unknown Doctors Vote group, which seized almost half the seats on the BMA's 69-member ruling council. The group's singular focus on full pay restoration transformed the traditionally cautious union into a more militant organisation.
Though Doctors Vote has since imploded due to internal conflicts, the current leadership maintains the same determination to achieve pay restoration. The resident doctors committee has expanded its demands to include addressing the chronic lack of medical specialty training places, making resolution even more complex.
With the BMA planning to reballot members in January for another six months of strike action, and both sides showing no signs of compromise, the NHS faces the prospect of continued disruption well into 2026.
