NHS waiting lists in England have reached a new high due to ongoing strikes in the health service. Official data reveals that at the end of May, 7.47 million people were waiting for routine hospital treatment, surpassing the previous record of 7.42 million in April. This is the highest number since records began in 2007. The number of people waiting more than 52 weeks for treatment increased to 385,022 in May, compared to 371,111 in April. However, the number of people waiting 18 months slightly decreased from 11,477 to 11,446. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had promised to reduce NHS waiting lists earlier in the year when they stood at 7.2 million. However, he acknowledged recently that the strikes have made the task more difficult. The strikes have resulted in the cancellation or postponement of approximately 651,000 appointments and routine procedures. Junior doctors are currently engaged in the longest period of industrial action in NHS history, with a five-day walkout. They are scheduled to return on July 18, followed by a two-day strike by consultants and radiographers on July 25. Sunak announced that he has accepted the recommendations for pay increases for junior doctors, including a 6 percent rise and a £1,250 increase. Downing Street stated that this offer is final and called on medics to end the strikes. NHS National Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis described the strikes as an incredibly challenging time for the NHS, with the potential for the biggest impact yet. Saffron Cordery, Deputy Chief Executive at NHS Providers, highlighted the impact of workforce shortages and lack of physical capacity on waiting times and backlog reduction. Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting blamed the prime minister’s refusal to negotiate with striking workers for the growing waiting lists. Downing Street confirmed that there would be no further discussions on pay increases and urged junior doctors and consultants, who earn around £120,000 annually, to consider the offered pay rises.