Doctors disappointed not to receive 1% rise

Doctors are outraged by a decision not to grant them a one percent increase in basic pay, the head of the British Medical Association has said.

Writing to the health secretary Jeremy Hunt, Dr Mark Porter said the government should reconsider its decision.

The latest pay restructures will see many NHS staff in England receive a one percent rise, but those who get progression-in-job increases such as doctors will not be included, with the government stating a universal one percent rise would result in job losses.

With the consumer prices index measure of inflation currently standing at two percent, the NHS pay review body had advised all NHS staff – even those on progression pay – should get a one percent rise.

"Your deliberate conflation of pay progression and cost-of-living uplift is particularly misplaced," wrote Dr Porter, adding that pay progression is simply "required to recognise learning and development in a role".