Doctors Threaten Strikes Over Pension Rise

The proposed rise in NHS pension contributions among health workers has led a major doctor's union to threaten strike action if the plan goes ahead.

In a critical response from the British Medical Association (BMA) against the plan to dramatically increase NHS pension scheme contributions by up to 6%, the UKs top doctors said it was frustrated at the government’s refusal to enter into "meaningful negotiations" with unions over the decision. 


Speaking about the increase in contributions, Chairman of BMA Council Dr Hamish Meldrum said: "While industrial action will always be a last resort it remains an option for the BMA to take."

According to the BMA, many doctors had already seen their contributions increase by 42% following earlier changes to the NHS scheme – agreed between the health unions and the government in 2008. 



The union said that the overhaul of the scheme was supposed to ensure it was sustainable over the long term, and would withstand changes in the economic environment through a cost-sharing agreement, which protects the taxpayer from future cost increases.

However, the Government's new plans would see contributions increase again by a further 71% over the next three years, the union said, meaning contributions to the NHS Pension Scheme for some doctors would have increased by 142% in the six years since 2008.



Dr Meldrum added: "Increasing contribution rates now when agreement on such a major overhaul of the scheme was reached with the Government in 2008 is unjust and misguided.

"It is also completely unnecessary given the current financial health of the NHS scheme.
We acknowledge the financial difficulties that the government is facing but it is totally unreasonable to expect NHS staff, who are already subject to pay freezes and potential redundancies, to take a further, substantial hit."

Mr Meldrum said the plan was "arbitrary" and accused the Government of implementing an "ill-concealed tax on those working in the NHS".

Meanwhile, in the Irish Republic, doctors have been forced to defend their prices after members of the European 'Troika' group said that GPs in Ireland are charging 'over the odds' for their services in comparison to other EU countries.

See: GPs 'Fight Back' Over EC Pricing Criticism

(DW/BMcC)