Junior doctors in the United Kingdom have announced their decision to go on a 24-hour walk-out next Tuesday as the talks over changes to their contracts remains stuck with the government.

Junior doctors indicated that they are heading towards a strike action as no agreement appears to be coming from talks between the parties. The British Medical Association (BMA) and the Government have not reached any agreement and junior doctors have decided to register their protest.

A strike was suspended in the previous month after five days of negotiations on new proposed contracts but the parties have appeared to have reached a stalemate and no agreement is likely anytime soon. The doctors will again go on a two day strike on 26 January and a third action is planned for February if the talks do not reach an agreement.

British Medical Association council chairman Dr Mark Porter said: “Throughout this process the BMA has been clear that it wants to reach agreement on a contract that is good for patients, junior doctors and the NHS.This is why, despite overwhelming support for industrial action, the BMA instead sought conciliation talks with the government.After weeks of further negotiations, it is clear that the government is still not taking junior doctors’ concerns seriously.”

The BMA has said that it has the right to go on strike before the deadline of January 13 if the talks breakdown. However, the government might impose the new contract in order to reach a settlement.Around 98 per cent of the junior doctors, who were polled by the BMA, voted in favour of an industrial action. Under the proposed changes, junior doctorswill get an increase in their basic pay, but will have to work more weekends. They changes will also remove pay rises linked to time in the job and pay for working unsociable hours will be cut.