The Government will not reveal GP funding arrangements, including potential compensation for the impact of National Insurance hikes, until ‘early in the new year’.
In his evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee this morning, health secretary Wes Streeting warned GP practices against ‘taking decisions ahead of seeing the allocations’ for 2025/26.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously stated a commitment to set out funding arrangements ‘by the end of the year’, when asked how the Government will alleviate the impact of the Budget’s NICs increase on GP practices and other providers.
And Mr Streeting said last month that he was ‘working rapidly to finalise the funding envelope for general practice for 25/26’, and that this work would be undertaken ‘over the coming weeks’.
However, today’s committee session made it clear that funding details for GPs will not arrive until the new year, despite a promise to make ‘an announcement’ for hospices before Christmas.
Mr Streeting said: ‘I did say to hospices that we would make an announcement before Christmas. That’s next week, and I intend to keep that promise.
‘And then, more broadly, I’m mindful of people needing to make decisions around their organizations for the year ahead, so I think we need to come to this early in the new year at the latest, and that’s what we will do.’
When pressed on this, he confirmed that ‘early in the new year’ means announcements will be made in January.
The health secretary said he understands that GPs ‘want to set their budgets for the year ahead’.
‘I’ll be making my allocations in a timely way so people can plan for the year ahead – they should not be taking decisions ahead of seeing the allocations,’ he added.
A recent update from YOR LMC indicated that the GP Committee England had planned for contract details to come out ‘over Christmas’.
In an update last week, LMC medical secretary Dr Brian McGregor said: ‘We will get the first hints of contract changes over Christmas, including hopefully an announcement with regards to the NI and minimum wage changes and their impact/management in General Practice.’
The Budget announcements at the end of October caused significant concern among the GP profession, with the BMA warning that GP practices need to be reassured ‘swiftly’ that increased tax costs will be ‘resourced’ by the Government.
According to the Treasury, money has been set aside to protect the NHS from the impact of the increases to National Insurance Contributions – but GPs have been excluded from this, as they are considered to operate as independent businesses.
Pulse revealed in November that the Budget changes could cost GP practices across England a total of £260m, and recent data from the BMA’s ‘calculator’ indicated that it will cost an average of £33,000 per practice.
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Will this Labour government cheat GPs the way they are cheating WASPI women, many of whom worked for the NHS?
Additionally, many had their retirement age for receiving a State Pension postponed not merely once, by 5 years, but twice: yes, a second time. In opposition, Keir Stammer MP (and W Streeting MP) said this was truly a great injustice to the WASPI women affected, while saying he would put this right when in government. Some women are dying before they get justice. Today’s announcement of no money for WASPIs (despite Court rulings) shows up Stammer’s lies, evidently. So all GPs, beware of the cheats in governmt. Not only think of your retirement which may be many years ahead but also of your GP lives and the good people you employ in the here and now. Also, don’t you think the cogwheels of government incl Stammer and Streeting,
can operate much faster than this (when they really want them to). They are a disgrace to GPs and their good employees; of course, they are now putting their feet up, and enjoying Christmas festivities, not working in Parliament, while you,and staff,are still working your socks off for your patients, making life-and-death decisions every day. They need to put right their indolence.
It’s all part of the plan. They think we are too expensive and over-qualified for what we do. That GP can be staffed by ANPs and care co-ordinators. A willingness to think flexibly, step outside guidelines, take a well-judged risk, and go the Extra Mile is what will be lost. When we go the NHS will crash. Dr No will be watching from home with their feet up.
Why don’t you mix up two unconnected issues? I don’t see men complaining about the many years of inequality of our retirement age and demanding compensation. That’s the real crime there.
Didn’t trust Streeting then and don’t trust him now.
Better be news worth waiting for, Wesley..
As the old but accurate saying goes. How do you know a politician is telling a liar?
Their lips move
Gregory Rose-fair point.