RESIDENT doctors in England will be balloted for another six months of strike action over a lack of jobs and severe pay erosion, the British Medical Association (BMA) said today.

The union’s existing mandate will be extended from January to August 2026 if the ballot is successful.

BMA’s resident doctors’ committee chairman Dr Jack Fletcher said: “We should have been able to put this dispute to bed months ago with a responsible deal on jobs and pay.

“It would have only taken a plan to gradually raise pay over a few years and some common-sense reforms to ensure job security so that doctors aren’t threatened with unemployment.

“Patients don’t want to see doctors struggling to find a job while they can’t even see a GP. No-one wants to see another six months of disruption to the NHS.

“But if that is what it takes to move the government into making these reforms, then that is what must be done.”

The last walkout by resident doctors took place from November 14-19. 

Polling by Savanta found 69 per cent of doctors supported the strike.

The ballot to extend the mandate will run from December 8 until February 2.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “It is disappointing to see the BMA threatening further unnecessary strike action which harms patients, the NHS and resident doctors themselves.

“Instead of indulging in more damaging strike action, the BMA should get back around the table and work with us to rebuild our NHS.”