Doctors strike called off in Scotland as union backs latest pay deal

BMA Scotland has recommended members back a new £133m offer that includes pay rises of 4.25% in 2025-26 and 3.75% in 2026-27, and planned resident doctor strikes have been cancelled while members are balloted.

Planned strike action by resident doctors in Scotland has been cancelled after BMA Scotland recommended members back a new offer from the Scottish Government. The package is reported as a combined pay and contractual reform proposal with total investment of £133 million. It includes pay rises of 4.25% in 2025-26 and 3.75% in 2026-27 and mirrors a deal already accepted by nurses and other NHS staff. Timings for the union ballot of members have not yet been published. Key facts: - BMA Scotland recommended members accept the new offer and cancelled planned strikes to allow a ballot. - The proposal includes a 4.25% pay rise in 2025-26 and a 3.75% rise in 2026-27. - The package combines pay increases with contractual reform and totals £133 million over the two-year period. - The pay element mirrors a deal accepted by nurses and other NHS staff and had previously been rejected by the BMA. - Resident doctors make up about 42% of Scotland's doctors and range from newly qualified to those with more than 10 years' experience. Summary: The cancellation of planned strikes removes the immediate prospect of disruption while members consider the offer. Members will be balloted on the proposal, but the union has not published timings for that vote. The outcome of the ballot and any further steps are undetermined at this time.