Junior doctors’ strike talks break down ‘as unions insist on 35pc pay rise’

Pay talks between the British Medical Association and Health Secretary have broken down, with claims junior doctors refused to budge on demands for a 35 per cent pay rise.

The impasse raises the prospect of more strikes, following a three day walkout by medics last week.

The union entered negotiations with Steve Barclay on Wednesday, but failed to make any progress, with Whitehall sources saying the union “is intent on having a fight”.

Other health unions last week agreed a deal with ministers, which would mean a 5 per cent pay rise next year and a bonus of between £1650 and £3,800 for this year.

The proposal will be subject to a vote by members of unions, including the Royal College of Nursing, GMB and Unison.

But talks with the BMA reached an almost immediate impasse on Wednesday afternoon – raising the prospect of further strikes by junior doctors.

Three days of walkouts last week resulted in the cancellation of more than 180,000 operations and appointments – a greater impact than all of the other NHS strikes combined.

A Whitehall source said BMA union negotiators refused to budge from a starting position of insisting on a 35 per cent pay rise, and the creation of new mechanisms to prevent any future pay erosion.

He said: “They wouldn’t budge at all, they were wedded to 35 per cent, and on top of that a host of other demands. They seem to be intent on having a fight, there was nothing constructive coming from them.”