GP collective action escalation postponed as BMA re-enters talks

Clare Bannon/BMA

By Sarah Lowden

The British Medical Association has announced a postponement to plans to escalate its collective action in general practice as it tries to “reset” the relationship with the government ahead of talks.

The change of course has come following the recent political changes – with a new health secretary under Andy Burnham’s leadership, and changes within its own general practitioners committee in England (GPCE).

The GPCE said it had decided not to escalate the action to allow its own newly elected team time to meet with new leadership within the government in the hope of reaching agreements. The BMA is in dispute with the government over the imposed 2026/27 contract, which its members rejected by 99% in a referendum in March.

It said despite the pause in escalatory action, which is in place until 1 December, “collective actions already in place will continue”.

The union is looking for the following assurances from the government: