Doctors in England accept pay deal to end strikes

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United Kingdom

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Doctors in England have voted to accept a pay and conditions offer, the UK government announced on Monday, bringing to an end a year of strike action.

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The so-called resident doctors — those below consultant level — have accepted an average 6.6 percent pay uplift to be implemented by April 2027.

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The deal will mean medics’ pay will be more than 35 percent higher on average than it was four years ago, the Department of Health said.

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It will also see 4,500 extra specialty training places being established over the three years.

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“This is very good news for resident doctors, patients and the NHS as a whole, allowing us to draw a line under the disruption of previous months and focus on getting on with the job of rebuilding our health service,” said Health Secretary James Murray.

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Resident doctors have taken part in 21 days of strike action since July last year.

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In total, they have walked out 15 times in just over three years.

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Labour ousted the Conservatives from power in July 2024, vowing to end the strikes.

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But the government and the doctors remained in deadlock over the medics’ demand for a pay hike to compensate for what they say is a real-time loss of earnings due to inflation.

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Thousands of doctors were set to stage a four-day walkout on June 15, which would have been the 16th round of strike action since 2023.

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But it was called off on June 13 after the latest offer was made.

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Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation last Monday and is expected to step down in mid-July.

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AFP

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