The British Medical Association has suggested that senior doctors in England will be consulted on taking industrial action if the government's one per cent pay rise offer is not improved.

The association says it will ask members about stopping paid and unpaid overtime if there is not a figure nearer four per cent.

The Royal College of Nursing, which has already said it will consider balloting over industrial action, has called for a 12.5 per cent pay rise this year.

Industrial action by consultants would involve stopping paid and unpaid overtime, which would affect patient clinics and attempts by hospitals to reduce waiting lists. If industrial action is taken it would be the first by consultants since the 1970s apart from a day of action over pensions in 2012.

The Department of Health recommended the one per cent pay award to the independent panel that advises the government on NHS salaries. It would cover nearly all hospital staff, but not GPs and dentists.