• Tens of thousands of resident doctors in England are striking over inadequate pay increases.
• The British Medical Association demands a 26% pay raise amidst claims of years of salary erosion.
• Public support for the strike is declining, with recent polls showing more opposition than support.

Starting Friday, tens of thousands of resident doctors across England have commenced a five-day strike in response to ongoing pay disputes with the government. This strike, initiated by the British Medical Association (BMA), aims to challenge the Labour government led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which had previously committed to ameliorating industrial relations in the NHS. The BMA has called for a 26% pay increase, while the government has only offered a 5.4% rise, citing fiscal constraints as the reason for their refusal to meet the BMA’s full demands, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and AA.

Health Minister Wes Streeting has described the strike as “reckless and needless,” urging the BMA to pause their actions for negotiations. Nonetheless, the decision to strike has drawn mixed reactions from the medical community. Many doctors express discontent with the government's handling of their demands, emphasizing that this dispute extends beyond mere compensation to encompass the broader state of the NHS, as articulated by resident doctor Bishoy Yassa. He remarked, “Even after fair negotiations... we were completely ignored,” highlighting the urgent need for the government to acknowledge their concerns, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

As the strike progresses, public backing appears to diminish. A recent YouGov poll indicates that 52% of respondents oppose the strike, contrasting with 34% in support, which reflects a notable shift in public sentiment since May. Concerns over the potential impact on patient care have also been echoed amongst the medical workforce, with some, like doctor Adam Boggon, who voted against the strike, emphasizing that “strike action... doesn’t help anybody,” according to AA and Channel News Asia.