Junior doctors in England have overwhelmingly backed strike action following a ballot of British Medical Association (BMA) members.

The news came as ambulance workers in Wales staged their second day of strike action today with colleagues in England to return to the picket line tomorrow.

Further action is planned by ambulance workers on 6 March and by nurses in England on 1-3 March.

In a BMA ballot, 98% of members voted for action from next month on a turnout of 77%.

The BMA said wages for junior doctors had fallen by 26% in real terms since 2008 as a result of the rising cost of living.

BMA junior doctors’ committee co-chair Vivek Trivedi said: “Within the next few days, we will be confirming the dates of a 72-hour full walkout of junior doctors in all services. It is critical that we all participate together, as a union, bound together in defence of our profession. Strike action is an investment in our future, our careers, our profession, and our union. A union that can win full pay restoration is a union that can win anything.”

The action comes after the government refused last year to offer junior doctors in England a pay rise of more than 2%.

Health and social care secretary Steve Barclay said: “We hugely value the work of junior doctors and it is deeply disappointing some union members have voted for strike action.

“As part of a multi-year deal we agreed with the BMA, junior doctors pay has increased by a cumulative 8.2% since 2019/20. We also introduced a higher pay band for the most experienced staff and increased rates for night shifts.

“I’ve met with the BMA and other medical unions to discuss what is fair and affordable, as well as wider concerns around conditions and workload. I want to continue discussing how we can make the make the NHS a better place to work for all.”