Resident doctors lose jobs package and will strike next week

Resident doctors in England are primed to go on strike next week after a deadline set by the prime minister arrived without a deal agreed.

Sir Keir Starmer issued an ultimatum on Tuesday, saying the government would withdraw its offer of thousands of NHS jobs, extra training places, and pay reforms if the walkout wasn't called off within 48 hours. With no agreement reached, the medics – formerly known as junior doctors – will strike for six days from 7 April.

The British Medical Association's (BMA) resident doctors' committee has maintained the government's pay rise offer does not go far enough to deal with the cost of living. Sir Keir has pointed out the 3.5% proposal is above inflation and would take their total raise over three years to 35%.

Writing in The Times earlier this week, he said strikes would be "reckless" and damage the NHS. But the committee's chair, Dr Jack Fletcher, said the government's approach was "extremely disappointing".

Using the offer of more training places as a "pawn" in negotiations was "simply wrong.