British doctors suspend their strike after a last-minute offer from the government

Resident doctors in England have decided to suspend the national strike that was due to begin on Monday after receiving a new proposal from the British government, paving the way for a possible settlement of a social conflict that has lasted for more than three years.

This mobilization was to constitute the sixteenth strike led by young doctors since 2023. The movement, launched to denounce the decline in purchasing power and the increasing difficulties in recruitment within the British National Health Service (NHS), had caused significant disruptions in the country's hospitals.

The British Medical Association (BMA), the main union representing resident doctors, has announced that it will put the new government offer to a vote by its members. Strike action is suspended during this consultation period.

The union represents approximately 55,000 of the roughly 75,000 resident doctors practicing in England. Its leaders stated that no further strike action would be taken until members had had the opportunity to vote on the proposal.

The agreement notably includes a 3,5% salary increase this year, in line with the recommendations of an independent body tasked with evaluating public sector compensation. According to the government, the proposed measures as a whole would represent an average income increase of nearly 4,9% for the doctors concerned.

According to the BMA, the cumulative increases would allow for an average salary increase of 6,6% by April 2027. The plan also includes the creation of 4,500 new positions intended to improve the employment and training prospects of young doctors.

Union representatives, however, warned that the conflict was not definitively resolved. If members reject the offer in the referendum, strikes could resume as early as next month.

For the British government, this suspension is a relief as the NHS continues to face intense pressure from staff shortages, record waiting lists and rising demand for care.

The outcome of the resident doctors' vote will now be crucial in determining whether this long-running social conflict can be definitively closed or whether it will experience a new episode in the coming weeks.