Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Resident Doctors: Industrial Action

26 March 2026 · 9 other contributors

Opened by Wes Streeting Lab Ilford North

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Wes Streeting raised concerns about resident doctors: industrial action in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Minister announced proposed strike actions by resident doctors from April 7 to 13
  • Minister expressed disappointment over rejection of a deal by resident doctors
  • Statement detailed progress in negotiations and outlined terms of the rejected deal

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Wes Streeting

The minister announced the proposed strike actions by resident doctors of the British Medical Association (BMA), scheduled from April 7 to 13. He expressed disappointment over the rejection of a deal that would have boosted pay, created jobs and improved career prospects for resident doctors. The statement detailed the progress made in negotiations and outlined the terms of the rejected deal, which included reforms to the pay structure, pay rises linked to independent recommendations by the DDRB, reimbursement of exam fees, contract reform for locally employed doctors, and creation of more specialty training places. The minister highlighted that despite these concessions, the BMA committee still voted against the deal. He emphasised the financial implications of the strikes and urged the BMA's resident doctors committee to reconsider their decision.

Other contributors (9)
  • N/A

    Question

    The MP's question or point is missing in the provided transcript. Include their concern, local impact, or criticism if available.

    Minister reply

    The minister's response to THIS specific MP is also missing in the provided transcript.

  • Stuart Andrew Con Pudsey

    Question

    The shadow Secretary of State criticised the Government's handling of the dispute, questioning why a deal agreed with BMA leadership did not secure wider committee support and highlighted inconsistencies in the BMA’s demands for pay increases while offering their own staff less. He also raised concerns about affordability and potential consequences for other parts of the NHS budget.

    Minister reply

    The Minister acknowledged criticism but emphasised that his approach differs from previous Conservative governments, focusing on negotiation and compromise rather than avoidance. He argued that the deal was affordable due to built-in productivity gains and warned against the 'bank and build' strategy of striking. The Minister urged the BMA to take the offer before it is too late.

  • Peter Prinsley

    Question

    The MP expressed support for Ministers’ efforts, praising the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 and suggested improving the foundation programme system. He stated his confidence in the NHS continuing to improve under the Labour Government.

    Minister reply

    The Minister thanked the MP for his support and constructive advice, acknowledging the difficult position of both sides involved in the discussions. He emphasised the importance of creating a new business as usual with the BMA, where regular dialogue could lead to improvements in healthcare service delivery.

  • Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire

    Question

    People across the country will be extremely concerned about the prospect of further strikes, having faced so much disruption already in recent years. It is important to recognise that the strike is a symptom of an NHS still coming to terms with the damage caused by the previous Conservative Government... Will the Secretary of State commit to ending the misery of corridor care by the end of this Parliament? I welcome his intention to build additional training places, but will he outline a timetable for publication of the workforce plan?

    Minister reply

    We are committed to ending corridor care by the end of the Parliament. Queen’s hospital in Romford has shown it can be done and other hospitals are showing real progress. We have 2,000 more GPs now than when we came into office—the highest number on record. Additionally, we will put the focus on “Agenda for Change” unions to address staff pay issues.

  • Laurence Turner Lab Wolverhampton South West

    Question

    The week after next, there will be another strike when GMB members of the BMA’s own staff go out on industrial action. Their employer’s offer is 2.75%, which is lower than the 3.5% for doctors that the BMA called a “crushing blow”. Does the Health Secretary agree with the GMB union when it says: ‘These strikes have laid bare the BMA’s ongoing hypocrisy’?

    Minister reply

    It is breathtaking hypocrisy. Doctors in their ivory tower are lecturing us about affordability but refusing to pay their own staff properly. I was very complimentary of officers engaged with Ministers and officials recently, so I am stunned by the BMA’s unwillingness to practise what it preaches.

  • Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon

    Question

    This is another blow to patients who want the NHS to improve. The session on corridor care showed leadership from hospital executives and board members improving conditions. When was the last time the Secretary of State did that?

    Minister reply

    I was at Queen’s hospital in Romford recently, seeing improvements firsthand thanks to frontline staff and clinical leadership. Urgent and emergency care improves during strikes due to more experienced decision-makers being available.

  • Julian Lewis Con New Forest East

    Question

    What is the motivation behind BMA committee members rejecting a deal that the Secretary of State regards as generous? To what extent do they represent resident doctors?

    Minister reply

    If the committee had taken my offer to meet, I might be able to answer. The offer would bring significant benefits for resident doctors with an additional 1,000 jobs and pay uplifts. We have gone further than we should already; resident doctors must not look a gift horse in the mouth.

  • David Reed Con Braintree

    Question

    Do figures for the three-year deal use inflationary projections from the OBR and Bank of England? Given that BMA will always come back for more, does the Secretary of State agree that we need new rules around minimum service levels?

    Minister reply

    Pay structure reform is linked to the DDRB. The Government’s position on minimum service levels has been clear. We should think about whether BMA actions are tolerable given serious threats facing this country.

Shadow Comment

Stuart Andrew

The shadow secretary criticised the government's handling of negotiations with the British Medical Association, noting that despite extensive concessions, strikes remain scheduled. He questioned why a deal developed in collaboration with BMA leadership failed to secure wider committee support and highlighted inconsistencies between the BMA’s demands for doctors' pay increases and its own modest staff wage offer. The shadow also challenged the government's justification of affordability constraints due to global events, pointing out that their approach has burned through resources intended to improve conditions and pay for doctors.

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