A referendum of more than sixty thousand junior doctors in England, asking them if they will accept or reject a pay offer, begins today. Last month, the Government made a pay offer following almost 18 months of strike action and the junior doctor committee is recommending members accept the deal.

The junior doctors committee co-chairs, Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, said:

“We are recommending our members vote “yes” to this offer. It is an offer which represents the first step towards restoring junior doctors’ pay after more than a decade of cuts. It does not amount to full pay restoration but it is an opportunity to bank our progress this year and build on it next year – an opportunity we believe is the right one to take. Accepting the deal moves us further along our journey to Full Pay Restoration.

"Due to severe pay cuts we’ve undergone, we would still be 20.8% behind inflation. With the Government acknowledgment of our pay falling behind inflation and discussion of a journey to fair pay, we have made it very clear to them that if that journey gets off track, doctors will be back in dispute next year. 

“Make no mistake that we are determined to restore the pay that has been lost to real terms cuts since 2008. But we never said this would be in one year. This represents a solid base: we hope members will vote yes to this deal so we can start building from here.”

The referendum closes on the 15th September.

 

Notes to editors

Pay erosion calculations are as follows:

*Assuming offer accepted, based on OBR RPI forecast of 2.1%

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.