A major strike by resident doctors in England, due to begin on 17 December, may be averted after ministers offered the British Medical Association a new deal centred on expanding training opportunities rather than pay. The BMA has agreed to put the offer to members in an online survey closing on 15 December. If members support it, the five-day walkout could be cancelled. The proposal includes 4,000 additional specialist training posts by 2028, with 1,000 available next year, and measures to prioritise UK-trained doctors for competitive roles, as well as covering exam fees and other expenses. However, it contains no pay increase; health secretary Wes Streeting insisted that pay negotiations are closed following nearly 30% rises over three years. Criticising the BMA for not immediately suspending strike plans, he warned that hospitals must now begin cancelling appointments to prepare for potential disruption during a difficult winter. The BMA says strikes have forced government action but stresses the offer does not address long-term pay erosion. If members indicate the deal is insufficient, the strike will proceed.