THE Scottish government has “no more funding” to meet resident doctors’ pay demands, according to health secretary Neil Gray.

Mr Gray issued his warning as the doctors — once known as junior doctors — await the outcome of a BMA Scotland ballot for industrial action, which could see the wave of strike action in NHS England head north of the border.

The BMA estimated resident doctors’ pay fell by 20 per cent in real terms since 2010-11 and continues to call for settlements to close that gap. Strike action was averted in Scotland in 2023 after a deal that saw progress to that end.

The union has warned that the latest Scottish government offer represents the “lowest uplift of all resident doctors in the UK.”

Launching their ballot last month, BMA Scottish resident doctors committee chairman Chris Smith warned: “Doctors have been shocked that the Scottish government seems to be intent on throwing away the progress made in restoring our pay over the last two years.

“We will not sit idle while the Scottish government attempts to break the deal.”

Speaking as Holyrood considers the impact of Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s latest offer to striking resident doctors in England, Mr Gray insisted: “Resident doctors in Scotland have received a 4.25 per cent pay uplift this year — as part of a two-year deal — the same as accepted by nurses and other NHS staff.

“This means by 2027, they will have had a cumulative pay rise of 35 per cent in four years — and while I have been clear that there is no more funding available for the pay offer, my door remains open to meet with the BMA Scottish resident doctors committee.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We are providing £139 million additional investment this year in NHS infrastructure to increase core capital funding for Boards and support priority improvements and replacements in Scotland s NHS estate.

“Historic real terms cuts to our block grant from the UK Government have put pressure on our capital budget, but despite this we have delivered various new healthcare facilities across the country.”