Hospital Doctors in Northern Ireland Announce Strikes Amid Pay Dispute

Health Minister Robbie Butler has acknowledged that hospital doctors in Northern Ireland will go on strike next month. With the lack of a Stormont budget forcing the doctors to take action. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has also announced plans for a potential nurses strike.

Citing the despicable situation of nursing staff being forced to fight for a pay award that colleagues elsewhere in the UK receive as a matter of course.

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According to Clodagh Corrigan, from the doctors' union, the British Medical Association (BMA), the doctors will hold a 24-hour walk out on Friday 20 November. Meanwhile, consultants and specialists will operate a much-reduced service on the following Monday. The health minister had previously accepted a 3.5% pay uplift, but it cannot be given without a budget.

Public sector managers have adapted to emergency budget procedures, but the lack of a Stormont budget has led to real consequences. The UK government has offered an additional £1.5bn over the next three years. However, the Stormont parties say this is nowhere near enough.

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Health Minister Robbie Butler has attempted to strike a conciliatory note, but acknowledged that the situation is "despicable". He said that the offer of £525m is than the pressures across departments in the current financial year.

Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant has reacted with exasperation, saying that "you cannot keep overspending willy-nilly and not expect consequences from that". He has suggested that the absolute deadline for reaching a deal is January.