More than half of Britons oppose senior doctors strikes, poll finds, as figures show health unions amassing huge war chests to fund crippling walkouts
A YouGov poll found that 58 per cent of Britons oppose a planned 48-hour strike by NHS consultants on 25 and 26 November, while 31 per cent support it. The dispute matters because the walkout is due during winter, when pressure on hospitals is high, and emergency cover will continue under arrangements similar to Christmas Day.
Opposition was strongest among people aged 65 and over, at 77 per cent, compared with 29 per cent among 18 to 24-year-olds. Separate figures cited in the article show the BMA’s industrial action fund rose from £1 million to £1.3 million, while the Royal College of Nursing holds £35 million; the BMA says consultants have suffered a 25 per cent real-terms pay cut over 17 years. Of 18,069 consultants who voted in the strike ballot, 13,695 backed action, and officials estimate the union’s demands could cost £2 billion to £3 billion.
In short
- 58 per cent oppose the planned consultants’ strike.
- The 48-hour walkout is scheduled for 25 and 26 November.
- The BMA estimates consultants’ real-terms pay has fallen by 25 per cent.
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The case for
Consultants can argue that a 25 per cent real-terms pay decline over 17 years has made a substantial pay rise necessary to retain experienced doctors and sustain NHS care. A strike, with emergency cover maintained, may be seen as a last resort to press for a settlement and protect the profession’s long-term ability to serve patients.
The case against
Critics can argue that withdrawing routine care during a high-pressure winter period risks postponing treatment and adding strain for patients and hospitals, even with emergency cover in place. They may also question whether a settlement costing an estimated £2 billion to £3 billion is affordable, and favour resolving the dispute without a walkout.
Explained simply
NHS consultants are senior doctors who diagnose and treat patients, lead clinical teams and advise on complex care. Their pay dispute is linked to the British Medical Association (BMA), which says consultants’ pay has fallen in real terms over many years; the government and unions negotiate over pay and working conditions.
Industrial action can disrupt routine appointments and operations, while hospitals keep emergency services running. The dispute matters because pressure on the NHS often rises in winter, and delays to planned care can affect patients beyond the period of a strike.