The British Medical Association (BMA) has recently been in the news regarding several significant developments, particularly in relation to contracts, industrial action, regulation, and advocacy activities[1].
On 10 July 2025, a new contract was agreed between the government and the BMA for General Practitioners (GPs) in England. Key aspects of the deal include an overall funding uplift of £889 million for the 2025/26 General Medical Services (GMS) contract—delivering a 7.2% boost compared to the wider NHS budget increase. BMA’s acceptance of the deal is contingent on the government’s written commitment to renegotiate a completely new national contract during the current parliament. The uplift provides almost £800 million in national funding into the ‘Global Sum’ to manage rising staff, premises, and patient list costs. Changes also include relaxed Primary Care Network hiring rules, increased childhood vaccination fees, and £80 million for enhanced GP services such as advice and guidance requests to help manage hospital referrals[1].
There has also been increased industrial action activity. On 8 July 2025, the BMA confirmed that resident doctors in England voted in favour of striking over pay restoration demands. This ballot grants the BMA a six-month mandate for industrial action running from 21 July 2025 to 7 January 2026[2]. Correspondingly, it was announced that resident doctors will stage a full five-day walkout from 7am on Friday 25 July until 7am on Wednesday 30 July 2025. Over 26,000 doctors voted to support the strike. However, prominent figures such as Lord Robert Winston have resigned from the association, citing concern that the strike could harm the profession’s public trust[4].
At the BMA’s Annual Representative Meeting in June 2025, the association passed a resolution affirming the right of doctors to engage in non-violent climate activism without facing regulatory or employment repercussions. The resolution recognized climate change as a public health emergency and called for explicit protections within employment contracts and GMC processes for doctors who participate in such advocacy[6].
Additionally, the BMA continues to champion member support through materials, campaigns, and representation at both local and national levels[8].
References
- [1] New contract agreed for GPs – Reddy Siddiqui LLP
- [2] Resident doctors vote for industrial action in latest BMA ballot
- [4] Leading figure quits British Medical Association over planned strike – Sky News
- [6] ARM 2025: BMA passes resolution on Professional Regulation, Appraisal and the General Medical Council
- [8] Support for British Medical Association (BMA) representatives