Resident Doctors in Scotland to Be Balloted on Industrial Action Amid Pay Dispute

Resident doctors in Scotland are bracing for a potentially crippling industrial action as the British Medical Association (BMA) announced a ballot on a dispute over pay. The union claims the Scottish Government has reneged on a deal made in 2023 to restore pay to 2008 levels over three years, with the latest offer set to result in a real-terms pay cut. The ballot opens on November 14 and runs until December 19, and union officials warn that this could be a pivotal moment in the dispute.

Key Takeaways:

• The BMA Scotland has accused the Scottish Government of breaking a deal made in 2023 to restore pay to 2008 levels over three years.
• The latest pay offer for resident doctors would result in a real-terms pay cut, according to the BMA.
• The ballot on industrial action opens on November 14 and runs until December 19.
• Dr Chris Smith, chairman of the BMA's Scottish resident doctor committee, stated that doctors would "stand up to protect the deal which was agreed in good faith by both sides".
• Dr Smith emphasized that the Scottish Government has the chance to avert industrial action by reverting to the status quo and returning to the negotiating room with a credible pay offer.
• Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray offered a 4.25% pay increase for 2025/26, with an additional 3.75% for 2026/27, but the BMA claims this is not sufficient to prevent a real-terms pay cut.

Statistics:

• 12.4% pay uplift for resident doctors in 2023/24
• 11% cumulative pay uplift for 2024/25
• 4.25% pay increase offered by Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray for 2025/26
• 3.75% pay increase offered by Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray for 2026/27

Sources:

• BMA Scotland
• BBC News
• Scottish Government press release (no date provided)