House (resident) doctors in England have started a five-day pre-Christmas strike, their 14th strike since March 2023, due to disputes over pay and working conditions[1]. The striking doctors rejected the government's offer at the last minute, with the BMA justifying the continuation of the action by the significant deterioration in the real value of remuneration and the sub-inflationary appreciation of wages in recent years[1]. Union action began with meetings in front of hospitals, for example at St Thomas' Hospital in London, where doctors met with a largely supportive response from the public[1]. Some of the strikers held placards with claims of low pay, including the specific example of a £25.25 an hour shift[1]. The strike comes at a time of a significant rise in flu cases in Britain, with the government and health authorities warning that NHS capacity and patient safety could be at risk[2][3]. The BMA is demanding a significant increase in pay and more training places, having in the past cited the need to return to the real purchasing power of salaries of two decades ago (reported percentages of demands vary in different reports)[1][3].