Why are resident doctors striking and how much are they paid?

Why are resident doctors striking and how much are they paid?Image source, EPAPublished14 July 2025Updated 27 May 2026Resident doctors in England will strike for four days in June - the 16th walkout in a long-running dispute over pay and working conditions. The BMA, which represents doctors, criticised the new Health Secretary for displaying "the same unwillingness to move" as his predecessor, but James Murray said the union's demands were "unrealistic, unaffordable and unsustainable".The NHS urged patients not to put off seeking help during previous strikes, telling those with emergency and urgent needs to use 999 and 111 as normal.Resident doctors to strike for 16th time over payPublished27 MayWho are resident doctors, previously called junior doctors?Resident doctors are qualified doctors who have completed a medical degree. They make up nearly half of all doctors in England, and work across the NHS including in A&E and GP surgeries. After their initial degree and the mandatory two years of post-graduate foundation training, many choose to specialise in a particular area of medicine or surgery. They used to be known as junior doctors, but in September 2024 the government agreed to change the name of their role to better reflect their expertise. Full training can take a long time, so although some resident doctors may have only recently finished medical school, others could have more than a decade of practical experience and be responsible for most aspects of care. How much do resident doctors earn?During their first foundation year after finishing their medical degree, resident doctors in England earn a basic salary of just over £40,000.After several years, the most senior resident doctors get £76,500 in basic pay. Medics are often expected to work night shifts, weekends and longer hours, for which they receive extra payments on top of their base salary.In 2023 and 2024, resident doctors received pay rises totalling 22%, and got an ad...