Resident doctors accept Government pay offer, bringing industrial action to an end

Resident doctors in England have voted to accept the Government’s latest pay and reform offer, bringing an end to a prolonged period of industrial action that began in 2023.

The British Medical Association (BMA) confirmed that 53% of members who took part in the referendum voted in favour of accepting the offer. The agreement means strike action will end while work begins to implement the new pay arrangements and workforce reforms.

What’s included in the agreement?

The package includes:

• a 3.5% pay increase for 2026/27, in line with the independent pay review process
• additional reforms to pay progression, resulting in an average pay increase of 6.6% by April 2027
• up to 4,500 additional specialty training places over the next three years
• changes to support career progression and workforce development.

What does this mean for the NHS?

The agreement brings an end to a series of strikes that disrupted NHS services over the past three years.

For NHS organisations, the settlement provides greater certainty for workforce planning and supports efforts to reduce waiting lists and restore routine services without the risk of further planned industrial action.

What providers should be aware of

NHS employers should prepare for implementation of the new pay arrangements and consider the wider workforce implications, including:

• updating payroll and workforce planning
• reviewing budgets for the 2026/27 financial year
• planning for the expansion of specialty training places
• monitoring further guidance as the agreement is implemented.

Looking ahead

The agreement marks a significant milestone following years of industrial action. While broader workforce challenges remain, the settlement provides a foundation for continued discussions between the Government and the medical profession on pay, training and retention.

Further reading

For more information, visit:

• GOV.UK – Government offer to resident doctors (June 2026)
• British Medical Association – Guide to the June 2026 offer
• NHS England – Workforce and pay updates

Stay informed with the stories shaping health and social care.

Register with The Daily Round for the latest sector news, exclusive investigations, wellbeing content, workforce insights, expert features and practical updates—delivered free to your inbox.