GPs demand an 11 per cent funding rise from Labour authorities

GPs want an 11 per cent funding increase following other public sector pay rises.

Family doctors are currently taking part in industrial action after voting in favour of a ballot which threatened to bring the NHS to ‘a standstill’.

Letters reportedly sent by the British Medical Association union to its members state that the Government has awarded GPs a funding increase of 7.4 per cent – worth around £500million – for 2024/25.

The increase would be in the form of a rise to per-patient funding for practices.

But the BMA wants an increase of 10.7 per cent over concerns the offer does not represent a ‘real-terms’ pay rise. 

The letter, seen by news site GPonline, claims the amount is ‘reasonable’ due to pay rises given to other doctors. 

Family doctors are currently taking part in industrial action after voting in favour of a ballot which threatened to bring the NHS to ‘a standstill’ (file image)

Labour has awarded GPs a funding increase of 7.4 per cent (pictured: Health Secretary Wes Streeting)

Hospital consultants have received a 20 per cent pay increase, while junior doctors will earn an extra 22 per cent over two years.

It comes amid ongoing action by GPs which includes reducing the number of patients a doctor can see to 25 a day. The protest is expected to last for four months.

The Conservatives have also slammed Labour claiming they were allowing pensioners to freeze as they slashed winter fuel payments. 

This comes shortly after ministers were criticised yesterday after finding the funds to increase train drivers wages. 

Labour said they had struck a deal which would see the average train driver’s salary – for a four-day week – soar from £60,000 to £69,000.

The news will come as a relief to travellers who have suffered repeated misery as a result of Aslef’s 18 strikes over two years – the longest rail dispute in recent history. 

But it opens Labour up to accusations that it has again surrendered to its union ‘paymasters’ because the deal comes with no strings attached. 

Tory transport spokesman Helen Whately also said: ‘A ‘no strings’ deal means this will be paid for by passengers and taxpayers. 

‘We have to make our railways more efficient – but instead Labour has just caved to the unions. Ditching working practice reforms leaves a hole in the finances that can only be filled by higher fares or higher taxes.’

Labour’s recent deal with train driver unions has opened up accusations it has ‘caved in to unions’  (file image)

The new Health Secretary said striking would only ‘punish’ patients, adding that the government wants to team up with medical staff to ‘rebuild the NHS (pictured: striking junior doctors in June) 

Junior doctors in their first year now have a basic pay of £32,300, while those with three years’ experience make £43,900. The most senior earn £63,100

She also accused Labour of having ‘just caved to the unions’.

She added: ‘Ditching working practice reforms leaves a hole in the finances that can only be filled by higher fares or higher taxes.’

As new demands emerge from other workers in public sectors across the country, Wes Streeting has pleaded with GPs not to head to the picket lines.

The new Health Secretary said striking would only ‘punish’ patients, adding that the government wants to team up with medical staff to ‘rebuild the NHS’.

Mr Streeting aims to secure Treasury funding for GPs in the October Budget as part of efforts to produce solutions in the long-term. 

In a recent letter, Dr Julius Parker, who is deputy chairman of the BMA’s committee penned: ‘A 7.4 per cent increase is above current inflation. 

‘However, it does not meet GPC England’s aim of an uplift that restores real-terms GP Contract income to 2018/19 levels, which we estimate would have required a 10.7 per cent uplift.’

Dr Parker said the latest development were ‘a welcome step forward’, but has expressed the desire to see a new contract bartered for GPs. 

Last month, junior doctors were offered a pay increase of 22 per cent over the coming two years, as union members prepare to vote. 

Meanwhile, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which is still at odds with the government, has opened a consultation on the six per cent pay rise nurses were in 2024.

Professor Nicola Ranger, the RCN general secretary, told The Telegraph: ‘We do not begrudge doctors their pay rise… What we ask for is the same fair treatment from Government.’