UK government phases doctors' pay award

The UK government has phased the award recommended by the doctors' pay review body: doctors will receive the first increase on 1 April and the second on 1 December.

The review body recommended an above inflation award of 3.4%; in addition, doctors will receive an extra 0.35% this year and a similar increase in 1998 to take account of relative depreciation in their pensions. However, the government's decision to phase the award means that the total increase over the year will be 2.8%. Doctors will receive 2.35% on 1 April and 1.4% from 1 December. The Labour party says that it will honour the phasing decision if it comes into power.

The review body's recommendations have been implemented in full only five times since 1980, and the BMA has condemned yet another interference. The chairman of the BMA council, Dr Sandy Macara, said that the decision “will be regarded as a disgraceful betrayal of trust. What kind …