Responding to comments from Huw Pill, chief economist of the Bank of England, in which he said  that British households and businesses “need to accept” they are poorer and stop seeking pay increases, Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-chairs of the BMA junior doctors committee, said:

“Junior doctors have been forcibly made poorer by the government for the past 15 years thanks to year on year pay erosion. This comment from the Bank of England’s Chief Economist indicates just how out of touch he is with the vast majority of working people. He fails to see that for far too long, doctors have been let down by constant government mis-management of and under resourcing the health service. Junior doctors have seen their wages fall by more than 26% in real terms in the past 15 years. Not only do we refuse to accept more cuts, but we demand our pay to be restored in full.

"A sick population is an unproductive population. An unproductive population is a sick economy. Failing to restore our pay and roll over to accept being poorer is a recipe for haemorrhaging more doctors and stagnating the economy as long term sick numbers increase."

ENDS

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.