England’s senior hospital doctors announce November strike over pay proposal

London, United Kingdom. The British Medical Association announced on Monday that England’s senior hospital doctors would hold a two-day walkout on November 25 and 26 after the government recommended a pay increase below inflation.

Pay proposal and inflation

The BMA said the government had proposed a 2.4% increase for the 2027/2028 financial year to the body responsible for setting doctors’ pay. The association argued that the recommendation amounted to a substantial real-terms reduction under every current inflation measure.

According to the BMA, senior doctors’ earnings had already fallen by 25% in real terms over 17 years. Separately, the Office for National Statistics reported on Wednesday that September’s headline CPI inflation rate stood at 3.5%.

In evidence published on October 19, the government told the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration that its proposed 2.4% increase would not require trade-offs affecting its headline commitments on health.

Conditions for avoiding industrial action

The BMA said in a statement that the walkout could be prevented if Britain’s health minister committed to formal talks covering pay and working conditions, backed by adequate funding.

The planned stoppage follows more than a dozen rounds of industrial action since 2023 arising from disputes across Britain’s National Health Service over working conditions and pay.

Health secretary’s response

Health Secretary Yvette Cooper described the strike decision as deeply disappointing, saying discussions involving her department, the NHS and the BMA had been constructive.

Cooper said she remained determined to work alongside NHS colleagues to support patients and staff during a difficult winter. She urged the BMA to remain united with those efforts rather than take action she regarded as irresponsible, warning that it would increase pressure on the health service at a crucial time.