Senior NHS doctors in England will strike for two days, on 25 and 26 November 2026, the British Medical Association's consultants announced on 26 October, in a dispute over pay, pensions and working conditions. In a ballot this year, 76% of participating consultants voted for industrial action. The union says it has been in dispute for more than 18 months and that September talks failed to meet its 16 October deadline, with a government meeting offered for 5 November.

A ballot backed by 76%

The union's case rests on a long pay squeeze and a shorter week. It claims a 25% real-terms pay cut over the past 17 years, seeks a cut in the standard week from 40 to 35 hours and a pay boost for out-of-hours work, and describes the government's proposal of a 2.4% uplift for doctors for 2027-28 as an insult and a significant real-terms cut. The government figure cited by The Times puts the cost of cutting the week by five hours at £2 billion to £3 billion for taxpayers.

A 35-hour week, and a £2bn price tag

The political response was swift. Prime Minister Andy Burnham called the strikes “hugely disappointing”, and Downing Street urged the BMA to “work with us, not against us” ahead of winter, when strikes bite hardest. The November dates sit squarely in that winter pressure period, which is why both sides are framing the next fortnight — including the offered 5 November meeting — as the window to avoid them.

Sources: The Times and Health Business.