Responding to the news that the Government's published recommended pay uplift for next year for doctors and other NHS workers should be 2.8%, the BMA's chair of council, Professor Philip Banfield, said:
 
"For this Government to give evidence to the doctors' and dentists’ pay review body (DDRB) believing a 2.8% pay rise is enough, indicates a poor grasp of the unresolved issues from two years of industrial action. It is far below the current rate of inflation experienced by doctors in their daily lives and does not move significantly closer to restoring the relative value of doctors’ pay lost over the past 15 years. 
 
"When doctors accepted their pay offers this summer, the Government was under no illusion about the need to continue to reverse the effects of pay erosion, the path set to achieve that in future pay rounds, and the very real risk of further industrial action if this was not achieved. 
 
"As part of the consultants’ pay deal, the previous Government agreed to a number of reforms to the process that reviews doctors’ pay, in order to restore the independence of the DDRB, and free it from undue Government pressure to recommend historically low pay uplifts.  
 
"This sub-inflationary suggestion from the current Government serves as test to the DDRB. The BMA expects it to take this opportunity to show it is now truly independent, to take an objective view of the evidence it receives from all parties - not just the Government - and to make an offer that reflects the value of doctors' skills and expertise in a global market, and that moves them visibly further along the path to full pay restoration."
  

Ends

Notes to editors

In October 2024, CPIH was 3.2% and RPI 3.4%.
 
RPI - Retail Price Index. This includes mortgage interest payments, making it more sensitive to interest rates. RPI is used to uprate certain items, such as rail ticket prices, student loans, tobacco duty, air passenger duty, and alcohol duty.
 
CPIH - Consumer Price Index. This includes housing costs and council tax, in addition to other costs like food, clothing, and transportation.
 
Further information 
 
The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.