Resident doctors in Scotland have overwhelmingly voted to take industrial action next month, plunging the nation's NHS into a fresh pay dispute. The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland announced the result of its ballot, signalling a major escalation in tensions with the Scottish government.
Overwhelming Mandate for Industrial Action
The union revealed that a decisive 92% of its members who voted supported going on strike. The ballot saw a turnout of 58%. As a result, strikes are scheduled to begin at 7am on Tuesday 13 January and are set to continue until 7am on Saturday 17 January, unless a breakthrough is achieved in last-ditch negotiations.
Chris Smith, the chair of the BMA Scottish resident doctors committee, stated that members were "united in anger". He accused the Scottish government of reneging on a pay deal agreed two years ago, which promised a path towards restoring salaries eroded since 2008.
Broken Promises and a 4.25% Offer
The crux of the dispute lies in a pay uplift offered for the 2025/26 period. In October, BMA Scotland stated that resident doctors were offered a 4.25% increase, which it claims breaks the 2023 agreement. That earlier deal included a commitment to annual talks to make "credible progress on the path towards pay restoration".
Mr Smith argued that the 4.25% offer would worsen a situation where doctors are already an estimated 17% worse off in real terms compared to 2008. He insisted the strike was avoidable, saying: "We are simply asking for the government to deliver on what they previously promised."
Government Response and Cross-Border Context
Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said he was "disappointed" by the vote for strike action. He defended the 4.25% uplift as part of a two-year deal, matching settlements accepted by nurses and other NHS staff. Mr Gray added that by 2027, the government will have delivered a cumulative pay rise of 35% over four years.
He warned that industrial action risks progress on reducing NHS waiting times and improving patient access. Mr Gray has offered to meet with BMA Scotland officials for talks on Monday in a bid to avert the walkouts.
The announcement in Scotland comes as resident doctors in England are already on strike, with their action beginning on Wednesday and due to last until Monday. That dispute continues after English BMA members rejected a fresh proposal from the UK government.
