When the government unveiled its much-anticipated 2025/26 public sector pay rise package, ministers hoped to appease frontline workers who’ve carried the nation through years of crisis. But within hours, it was clear — the move had sparked more fury than relief.
The announcement granted NHS staff and teachers a pay bump meant to reflect the government’s ongoing commitment to the public sector. Yet the response from unions was swift and sharp, with talk of strikes, funding disputes, and long-term disillusionment dominating headlines.
Ministers brace for NHS strikes after doctors denounce ‘derisory’ pay rise
NHS: A “Derisory” Deal and a Tipping Point
Doctors across England were quick to label the pay deal “derisory.” Under the new agreement, consultants and general practitioners are set to receive a 4% increase, while resident doctors (previously known as junior doctors) will get 4% plus a £750 fixed sum — a figure the British Medical Association (BMA) said fell far short of what’s needed.
The BMA, which represents over 55,000 junior doctors, has already opened a ballot for potential strike action. Their message was clear: unless the government is ready to discuss full pay restoration — undoing over a decade of pay erosion — action is imminent.
Professor Philip Banfield, chair of the BMA council, stated, “This government continues to ignore the reality of inflation and the crippling workloads facing our doctors. We’re not just calling for a number — we’re calling for respect, recognition, and fairness.”
While Health Secretary Wes Streeting insists that the 5.4% effective increase meets the minimum threshold doctors previously requested, union leaders say the bar has been moving due to worsening financial pressure and stagnant salaries since 2010.
Nurses and Paramedics: “Grotesque” Pay Disparity
For nurses, ambulance staff, and midwives — approximately 1.4 million NHS workers under the “Agenda for Change” — the 3.6% increase was met with disbelief. The Royal College of Nursing condemned the move, calling it “grotesque” that lower-paid staff received less than senior medical professionals.
Critics say the government has deepened the wage gap within the NHS — with morale, already battered by pandemic fatigue and workforce shortages, at serious risk of collapse.
Public Sector Pay vs Inflation
At first glance, the pay rises — ranging from 3.6% to 5.4% — appear generous in a challenging economy. But with UK inflation hitting 3.5% in April 2025, any minor gains risk being wiped out by rising living costs.
According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, these increases slightly exceed what ministers had previously claimed they could afford. However, they fall short of repairing over a decade of real-terms salary reductions across the public sector.
Teachers’ Fury: Pay Rises Without Funding
In the education sector, a 4% pay rise for teachers might have been welcomed — if it had been fully funded.
Instead, schools have been told to find 1% of the total increase from their existing budgets, amounting to about £400 million in internal cuts. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson allocated £615 million to cover the remaining costs but maintained that schools should absorb the difference through “improved productivity and smarter spending.”
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), didn’t mince words. “Schools are already stretched to the limit. Expecting them to fund this pay rise means cutting services, laying off staff, or burdening already exhausted teachers.”
The NEU now plans to register a formal dispute with the government — the first step toward potential industrial action.
Government’s Justification: “Tough but Necessary”
Ministers argue that the pay rises reflect their commitment to public sector workers while maintaining fiscal discipline. Bridget Phillipson acknowledged the challenge: “We’re asking schools to do their part in improving efficiency. These are tough choices, but they are necessary.”
But critics say the government is passing the buck — offloading its fiscal responsibilities onto struggling institutions and setting the stage for more labor unrest.
A Familiar Battle Brewing
This isn’t the first time the UK has faced such public sector pushback, and it likely won’t be the last. The combination of underfunded increases, surging inflation, and growing workloads is creating a toxic mix for employee retention and public service quality.
The Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association called the 4% raise for senior doctors a “real-terms pay cut,” while NHS unions like the GMB and RCN are also consulting their members about potential strikes.
In schools, leaders warn that further strain will lead to larger class sizes, deteriorating resources, and increased pressure on teachers — many of whom already cite burnout as a top reason for leaving the profession.
What’s Next?
With ballots open, tensions high, and negotiations stalling, the UK government finds itself walking a tightrope. The public sector — long regarded as the backbone of British society — is asking not just for money, but for meaning: pay that reflects the value of their work.
Whether the government will meet that call or face a new wave of industrial action remains to be seen.
For now, doctors, teachers, nurses, and the public alike are left asking a simple question: Is a pay rise still a pay rise if it doesn’t keep pace with reality?
