Resident Doctors and Consultants Poised for Strikes Amid NHS Pay Dispute
Published 13 November 2025
Highlights
- Resident doctors in Scotland are balloting for strike action over a pay dispute, with potential industrial action in early 2024.
- The BMA claims the Scottish government's proposed 4.25% pay increase is insufficient and reneges on previous agreements.
- In England, resident doctors are striking over pay erosion and limited training opportunities, with a five-day walkout underway.
- Hospital consultants are considering joining the strike, demanding a 5.5% pay rise for 2025/26, adding pressure on the NHS.
- The ongoing strikes highlight a broader healthcare staffing crisis and the need for improved pay and training conditions.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: Resident Doctors and Consultants Poised for Strikes Amid NHS Pay Dispute
Resident doctors across the UK are intensifying their campaign for better pay and working conditions, with potential strikes looming in both Scotland and England. The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that resident doctors in Scotland are balloting for industrial action after the Scottish government proposed a 4.25% pay increase for 2025/26, which the BMA argues falls short of previous commitments. The ballot, which opened on Friday, will run until December 19, with strikes likely in early 2024 if the vote passes.
Scotland's Pay Dispute
The BMA Scotland has expressed disappointment over what it perceives as the government's failure to honor a deal aimed at restoring pay to 2008 levels. Dr. Chris Smith, chair of the BMA's Scottish resident doctor committee, emphasized the importance of maintaining the progress made in recent years. "Doctors have been shocked that the Scottish government seems intent on throwing away the progress made," he stated. Health Secretary Neil Gray, however, defended the pay offer as "fair and affordable," urging doctors to reject strike action.
England's Ongoing Strikes
Meanwhile, in England, resident doctors have embarked on a five-day strike, citing pay erosion and inadequate training opportunities. Dr. Madjda Bougherira, a psychiatry doctor in Manchester, highlighted the impact of understaffing on patient care, stating, "We want to care for patients, not go on strike." Despite receiving nearly 30% in pay rises over three years, the BMA argues that doctors' pay remains 21% lower than in 2008 when adjusted for inflation.
Consultants Join the Fray
Adding to the NHS's challenges, hospital consultants are considering joining the strike action. They demand a 5.5% pay increase for 2025/26, arguing that their pay has been eroded by 26% since 2008/09. The BMA's consultants committee has set a deadline of December 31 for negotiations with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, with a ballot for industrial action planned if talks fail.
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Scenario Analysis
The potential for simultaneous strikes by resident doctors and consultants poses a significant challenge for the NHS, particularly during the winter months when healthcare demand is high. If the Scottish government fails to reach an agreement with the BMA, it could face its first major strike action by resident doctors, disrupting efforts to reduce waiting times. In England, the ongoing strikes and potential consultant walkouts could derail the government's pledge to "fix the NHS" by cutting treatment delays. Experts suggest that resolving these disputes will require meaningful negotiations and a commitment to addressing the underlying issues of pay erosion and training opportunities.
Resident doctors across the UK are intensifying their campaign for better pay and working conditions, with potential strikes looming in both Scotland and England. The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that resident doctors in Scotland are balloting for industrial action after the Scottish government proposed a 4.25% pay increase for 2025/26, which the BMA argues falls short of previous commitments. The ballot, which opened on Friday, will run until December 19, with strikes likely in early 2024 if the vote passes.
Scotland's Pay Dispute
The BMA Scotland has expressed disappointment over what it perceives as the government's failure to honor a deal aimed at restoring pay to 2008 levels. Dr. Chris Smith, chair of the BMA's Scottish resident doctor committee, emphasized the importance of maintaining the progress made in recent years. "Doctors have been shocked that the Scottish government seems intent on throwing away the progress made," he stated. Health Secretary Neil Gray, however, defended the pay offer as "fair and affordable," urging doctors to reject strike action.
England's Ongoing Strikes
Meanwhile, in England, resident doctors have embarked on a five-day strike, citing pay erosion and inadequate training opportunities. Dr. Madjda Bougherira, a psychiatry doctor in Manchester, highlighted the impact of understaffing on patient care, stating, "We want to care for patients, not go on strike." Despite receiving nearly 30% in pay rises over three years, the BMA argues that doctors' pay remains 21% lower than in 2008 when adjusted for inflation.
Consultants Join the Fray
Adding to the NHS's challenges, hospital consultants are considering joining the strike action. They demand a 5.5% pay increase for 2025/26, arguing that their pay has been eroded by 26% since 2008/09. The BMA's consultants committee has set a deadline of December 31 for negotiations with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, with a ballot for industrial action planned if talks fail.
What this might mean
The potential for simultaneous strikes by resident doctors and consultants poses a significant challenge for the NHS, particularly during the winter months when healthcare demand is high. If the Scottish government fails to reach an agreement with the BMA, it could face its first major strike action by resident doctors, disrupting efforts to reduce waiting times. In England, the ongoing strikes and potential consultant walkouts could derail the government's pledge to "fix the NHS" by cutting treatment delays. Experts suggest that resolving these disputes will require meaningful negotiations and a commitment to addressing the underlying issues of pay erosion and training opportunities.
