Echoes of austerity haunt NHS pay battle as tensions rise again

Threats of strike action have appeared on the horizon again.

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Perhaps they never really left. Negotiated solutions often leave unresolved issues. The doctor's union - the BMA - have some unfinished business. Business that the government considers to be closed.

From outside it looks a surprising turn of events. Doctors are adequately paid. We have secure jobs. The resolution to the last round of strikes led to an above inflation pay rise. Add to that the government has just offered us a marginally above inflation pay rise and it all seems to be cosy.

The problem is with history. The government doesn’t feel responsible for the actions of the governments that preceded it. They don’t feel they need to correct historic wrongs.