A ballot for industrial action opened on Monday for doctors in England in their first year (FY1) of employment, demanding the Government act to fix the unemployment crisis affecting resident doctors.  

A third (34%) of doctors responding to a recent BMA survey said they had no substantive employment or regular locum work from August 2025. This rose to more than half (52%) among FY2 (foundation year two) doctors. 

Doctors will be asked if they are willing to take industrial action to pressure the Government into providing a plan to increase the number of training places. The ballot will close on 6th October. 

BMA Resident Doctors Committee (RDC) co-chairs Ross Nieuwoudt and Melissa Ryan said: 

“It is a scandal that in a country so sorely in need of more doctors we cannot find enough jobs for them. Thousands of doctors have been left in career limbo while patients desperately need them, not just now but to build the workforce that will look after them decades into the future. 

“The Government have so far only produced a plan to create 1,000 new specialty training posts over the next three years. However, this year saw more than 20,000 fewer posts than there were doctors applying for them. 

“While we continue to discuss with Government how to restore our diminished pay, and increase the value of doctors, we also have to make sure there are still jobs for our colleagues to go to. The Government has the opportunity to set out a plan for both sufficient pay and jobs to restore the NHS workforce for the next generation.  

“We are urging all first year doctors to vote yes to tell the Government to get moving on it.”  

Notes to editors

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.