NHS strikes: Almost half of public blame government for industrial action by doctors, poll finds

Almost half of the public blame the government for the ongoing doctors’ strike, according to a new poll.

Consultants and junior doctors in England are today striking together for the first time in NHS history with more joint walkouts planned for next month.

YouGov found that 45% of the British people blame Rishi Sunak and his Cabinet for the ongoing industrial action.

Some 21% blame the British Medical Association – the union organising the strike – while one quarter (25%) blame both equally.

Just 2% of people said neither were to blame and 7% said they didn’t know who was at fault.

More than half of people aged 25-49 said the government was to blame, compared to 29% of those ages 65 and above.

Meanwhile, in the latter category, 34% said the BMA was at fault and 33% said both the government and the union were equally responsible.

Three-quarters of people who voted for Labour in the 2019 general election attributed blame to the government, while 44% of Conservative voters blamed the unions.

YouGov surveyed 2,266 adults online on 19 and 20 September for the poll.

Latest strike action

Senior doctors walked out on Tuesday, with the latest round of industrial action continuing on Wednesday this week, as well as 2, 3 and 4 October.

Meanwhile, junior doctors, who have staged 19 days of strikes since March, will also walk out on 20, 21 and 22 September and 2, 3 and 4 October.

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The industrial action is likely to mean more delayed operations and cancelled appointments.

This week NHS waiting lists for treatment hit record highs.

Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, previously said the NHS was “in uncharted territory” .