NHS unions warn of strikes over below-inflation pay rise proposal

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 10:31 · Archive

Health unions have warned of potential strikes after the government proposed a 2.4 per cent pay rise for doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers for the 2027/28 financial year. The figure falls below current inflation, which reached 3.1 per cent in August 2026, with core inflation at 2.6 per cent.

The British Medical Association described the proposal as 'derisory' and a 'pay cut', whilst the Royal College of Nursing called it a 'betrayal'. BMA Council chairman Dr Tom Dolphin said it 'beggars belief' that such a rise was proposed when patients faced long waits and hospital overcrowding.

The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England told the pay review bodies that any increase beyond 2.4 per cent would require difficult trade-offs, potentially involving service cuts or longer waits. They said every 0.5 per cent pay increase costs approximately £750 million, equivalent to more than 89,000 hip or knee replacement operations. Officials cited multiple financial pressures including higher inflation, energy costs, industrial action and reduced immigration health surcharge income.

NHS unions warn of strikes over below-inflation pay rise proposal — Image: The Independent

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How it is being reported

Doctors blast government’s proposed pay rise as ‘derisory’ and risks further NHS strikesThe British Medical Association (BMA) described the figure as a ‘pay cut’The Independent · 20 Oct, 10:11
Health unions put NHS on notice for more damaging strikes as ministers recommend a below-inflation pay riseDoctors, nurses and other healthcare workers reacted with fury to the government's proposal for a 2.4 per cent rise for the 2027/28 financial year.Daily Mail · 19 Oct, 18:30

In this story: British Medical Association · Royal College of Nursing · Department of Health and Social Care · NHS England · Dr Tom Dolphin · Yvette Cooper

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