Junior doctors’ leaders agree 22.3% pay deal over two years

Junior doctors’ leaders have agreed a new pay deal with the government, which could lead to their wages rising by 22.3% over two years.

The landmark agreement comes after 44 days of strikes since junior doctors first took industrial action in March 2023 in pursuit of a 35% pay rise.

Stoppages by staff across the NHS since December 2022 have led to the postponement of 1.5m appointments, procedures and operations at an estimated cost of more than £3bn.

The British Medical Association’s (BMA) junior doctors committee has accepted an offer of an average rise of 22.3% over 2023/24 and 2024/25, the Guardian understands.

During a meeting on Saturday, the committee agreed to put the offer to its members, according to a source. If accepted, it will end the industrial action. Tens of thousands of members will now vote on the deal.

More details soon …