But Dr Jack Fletcher, from the BMA, said what was on offer would mean further pay erosion given inflation was set to increase because of global events – economists predict the Iran war will drive up prices.
“We have been negotiating in good faith for weeks,” he said.
“We are simply not going to put an offer to doctors that risks locking in further erosion of pay at a time when doctors continue to leave the UK for other countries.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the BMA’s expectations were “beyond reasonable and realistic”.
“It is enormously disappointing for NHS patients and staff, that the BMA has rejected this offer,” he said.
“This government has pulled every available lever to put forward a generous package that would have transformed the working lives and career prospects of resident doctors.”
The walkout will be the joint longest of the dispute – only once before have resident doctors taken part in a six-day strike.
Resident doctors make up nearly half of medics working in the NHS – two thirds of them are BMA members.
