Senior NHS doctors will go on strike in November after branding the government's proposed 2.4 per cent pay rise 'an insult'.
In a statement, the British Medical Association (BMA) claimed its 'repeated calls to enter formal negotiations' had been ignored.
The union added: 'Following an emergency meeting last week, the consultants committee voted reluctantly but decisively in favour of strike action.
'We firmly believe this is now the only way to make the Government take consultants and the issues that threaten our profession seriously.'
Consultants in England will walk out from 6.59am on November 25 to 6.59am on November 27.
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said it was 'disappointing' to see the BMA choosing to strike rather than 'continuing dialogue' with colleauges.
She added: 'The Government is working with staff across the NHS to prepare for winter, improve care for patients and make our health service better for the whole workforce.
'NHS England and the Department have been in constructive discussions with the BMA, so it is very disappointing to see the BMA committee choosing this response rather than continuing with that dialogue.
Senior NHS doctors will go on strike in November, the British Medical Association has said (file image)
'With colleagues across the NHS, I am determined to support staff and patients through the tough winter period. I hope the BMA will stay united with us in that effort, and not take irresponsible action that would place our health service under even greater pressure at this crucial time.'
The BMA Consultants Committee has also demanded a five-hour cut to the working week, which would cost taxpayers £2-3billion.
It comes despite consultants earning £152,000 on average this year, and a £25,000 increase to their average earnings over the last 4 years.
Unions put the NHS on notice earlier this month following the below-inflation proposed pay rise.
The BMA, which represents doctors, described the real-terms pay cut as 'derisory' and said it 'beggars belief', while the Royal College of Nursing described it as a 'betrayal'.
Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta, co-chairs of the BMA's consultants committee, said: 'As the most senior and skilled doctors in the NHS, consultants not only provide frontline, life-saving care, but they are central to running and designing services, training and supervising the future workforce, and ensuring patients get the best treatment possible.
'Solving the pressures facing the health service will be impossible without valuing and retaining these doctors.
'Yet the Government is failing to recognise this, ignoring our concerns around consultants' wellbeing and workload, and pushing them further away from the NHS.'
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said it was 'disappointing' to see the BMA choosing to strike rather than 'continuing dialogue' with colleauges (file image)
Consultants in England last went on strike in 2023 but have been in dispute with the Government since last year.
The planned walkout comes after members of the BMA voted in favour of a mandate for industrial action in July.
The BMA said the strike can be avoided if Health Secretary Yvette Cooper commits to formal negotiations on pay and working conditions.
Emergency cover will continue during the strike.
Consumer Prices Index inflation rose to 3.1 per cent in August 2026 with core inflation (excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco) reaching 2.6 per cent.
The Bank of England has said inflation is expected to rise further as a result of global pressures on higher energy prices.
Resident doctors are earning 35.2 per cent more on average than they were four years ago after 15 rounds of strikes that cost the NHS over £3billion and led to the cancellation of 1.5 million appointments.
In 2026, the Government accepted a 3.5 per cent pay increase recommended by the DDRB, exceeding its initial proposal of 2.5 per cent.
In addition to a salary raise, the BMA has asked for a reduction in the full-time working week for consultants, improved payment for out-of-hours work and ensuring consultants towards the end of their career can 'recoup lost pension value'.
The BMA said: 'We have now been in dispute for 18 months with a strike action mandate for over 3 months.
'We have tried to get our message through to government and avoid calling industrial action.
'Unfortunately, we are now in a position where industrial action is planned if there is no commitment to negotiations with funding to deliver a credible offer.'