Scots Tory Chief says docs are ‘politicising pay’ as a result of they’re anti-Tory
Scottish Conservative chief Douglas Ross has accused English junior docs of politicising their pay due to a vendetta in opposition to the Tory Government.
Speaking at a go to to Ayrshire at the moment, Mr Ross claimed junior docs south of the border had been provided the possibility to simply accept the identical deal as accepted by Scottish junior docs, however had turned it down.
Asked if that they had begun politicising their pay, he stated: “I think junior doctors have accepted that their campaigners have done that.
“They were asked distinctly would you accept the very same offer that has been made to Scottish junior doctors and they said no.
“Because they want to make this an issue against the Government. That’s not me saying this, that’s an admission from their leadership.”
In Scotland, junior docs had been provided an increase of 12.4 p.c in 2023-24, with will increase consistent with inflation till at the very least 2026-27.
In England, docs had been provided a six p.c rise together with a further consolidation £1,250 enhance, averaging at round 8.8 p.c per physician.
Junior docs rejected the deal, and went on strike for a number of days.
Mr Ross added: “We’ve actually seen when the junior doctor representatives in England were asked would they accept the very same deal that’s now been accepted, they said no.
“Because they want to make this a political issue against a Conservative Government at a UK level rather than getting a deal that works for junior doctors and gets them back to work.”
Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme last Friday, co-chair of the BMA’s Junior Doctors Committee Dr Rob Laurenson suggested the group’s opposition to a pay settlement is because of ideological differences with the Tories.
Asked whether the BMA would accept the kind of deal agreed in Scotland, Dr Laurenson replied: “No because the Governments are very different.
“The Scottish Government, there’s a basis to have a relationship and a working relationship to negotiate in the future, the Government [in Westminster] that we have today are hellbent on using the rigged independent pay review body to suppress our pay.”
Responding to the bombshell confession, a supply near Health Secretary Steve Barclay stated that the interview was final proof the union is simply focussed on bringing down an elected Government, not representing its members.
They stated: “This is a clear admission from the BMA junior doctors leadership that their strikes are part of a politically-motivated campaign aimed at bringing down the Government.
“This industrial action is not in the interests of ordinary doctors in training or of patients.
“We are delivering a fair pay award averaging 8.8 percent for doctors in training with 10.3 percent for the lowest earners. The BMA should end their strikes immediately.”
Rishi Sunak has admitted his progress in reducing ready instances has been hampered by the strikes.