Starmer's Ultimatum: BMA Has 48 Hours to Cancel Junior Doctors Strike

0:00On March 31st, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer just dropped a tough ultimatum on the British Medical Association. He's giving them 48 hours to cancel the upcoming six-day strike by junior doctors in England after Easter or they lose 1000 extra. Training spots this year. The BMA turned down the government's latest offer, which includes a 3.5% pay rise starting in April, faster progression through. Pay bans and coverage for out-of-pocket expenses like exam fees. This comes after talks kicked off in January following strikes last fall. Starmer called the rejection reckless in a time's peace, saying the union didn't even let members vote on it. Junior doctors have seen nearly 30% rise over three years, but the BMA argues real pay is still 20% below 2008. Levels due to inflation. The deadline hits Thursday because applications for those summer training posts open in April and adding them now is the last chance. The strike starts Tuesday at 7am, British summer time, matching the longest walk out in this year-long dispute.

1:04These extra posts are key to fixing shortages when doctors pick specialties after year-to-last summer, 30,000 apply for 10,000 spots. With junior doctors making up half the NHS workforce and two-thirds in the BMA, pressures building for a deal that sticks.