GPs demand 11 per cent funding increase from Labour government as thousands of doctors take part in strikes that could bring health service to a standstill

GPs want an 11 percent funding increase, following other pay increases in the public sector.

GPs are currently taking action after voting in favour of a ballot that threatened to bring the NHS to a standstill.

Letters reportedly sent to members by the British Medical Association union have revealed that the government has awarded GPs a 7.4 per cent funding increase, worth around £500 million, for 2024/25.

The increase would take the form of an increase in per-patient funding for practices.

But the BMA wants a 10.7 percent wage increase, because it fears that the offer does not represent a ‘real’ wage increase.

The letter, seen by news site GPonline, claims the amount is ‘reasonable’ given the salary increases other doctors are receiving.

GPs are currently taking part in a strike after voting in favour of a ballot that threatened to bring the NHS ‘to a standstill’ (file image)

Labour has awarded GPs a 7.4 per cent funding increase (Photo: Health Minister Wes Streeting)

Hospital consultants will receive a 20 percent salary increase, while young doctors will earn an additional 22 percent over two years.

It comes amid ongoing GP protests, including reducing the number of patients a doctor can see to 25 a day. The protest is expected to last four months.

The Conservatives have also criticised Labour, claiming that Labour is making it impossible for pensioners to freeze by cutting winter fuel payments.

This comes shortly after ministers yesterday faced criticism over their decision to release money to increase train drivers’ wages.

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

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

But it leaves Labour vulnerable to accusations that it is once again capitulating to its union ‘payers’ because the deal comes without strings attached.

Helen Whately, Conservative transport spokesperson, also said: “A ‘no strings attached’ deal means this is paid for by passengers and taxpayers.

‘We need to make our railways more efficient, but instead Labour has simply surrendered to the unions. The scrapping of reforms to working practices leaves a hole in the finances that can only be filled by higher fares or higher taxes.’

Labour’s recent deal with the train drivers’ unions has led to accusations that the union has ‘caved in to the unions’ (file photo)

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

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

She also accused Labour of “simply caving in to the unions”.

She added: ‘If we abandon the reforms to working practices, there will be a financial hole that can only be filled by higher rates or higher taxes.’

As new demands are made by other public sector workers across the country, Wes Streeting has urged GPs not to take to the picket lines.

The new Health Secretary said striking would only “punish” patients, adding that the government wants to work with medical staff to “rebuild the NHS”.

Mr Streeting wants to secure Treasury funding for GPs in the October budget as part of efforts to find long-term solutions.

In a recent letter, Dr Julius Parker, vice-chair of the BMA committee, wrote: ‘A 7.4 per cent increase is above current inflation.

‘However, it falls short of GPC England’s target of returning real GP Contract revenues to 2018/19 levels. We estimate that this would have required an increase of 10.7 per cent.’

Dr Parker said the latest developments were ‘a welcome step forward’ but expressed a desire to secure a new contract for GPs.

Last month, junior doctors were offered a 22 percent pay rise for the next two years as union members prepare to vote.

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

Professor Nicola Ranger, general secretary of the RCN, told The Telegraph: ‘We are not giving doctors their pay rise… What we are asking for is the same fair treatment from the government.’