Campaigning on the 2025/26 contract and the new GP contract

We have written to the Government and the NHS on numerous occasions. See our most recent engagement or view our latest engagements first:

• 15 Sept - Joint GP IT Committee position statement on GP Connect: Update Record. Following the 3 September meeting, the Joint GP IT Committee issued a statement on the current state of GP Connect: Update Record, shared with NHS England in light of plans to make this functionality a requirement.
  
  
• 30 July - GP premises services charges. In our letter to Karin Smyth MP, the minister responsible for land and estates, we raised the ongoing issues over service charges levied by NHS Property Services (NHSPS) and Community Health Partnerships (CHP). We have requested a meeting to explore constructive solutions. 
  
  
• 22 July - The future of general practice. We wrote to Stephen Kinnock MP in relation to the future of general practice and requesting confirmation of future funding envelopes, a roadmap for GMS contract renewal and feforms to reimbursement schemes. We also call for extended indemnity cover and a clear government commitment to GP leadership in neighbourhood-level care delivery. 
  
  
• 28 July - Changes to online access and GP connect software. We wrote to Helen Vernon, Chief Executive NHS Resolution, regarding changes to online access and GP connect software and highlighting risks of unlimited online requests and its pressure on an overstretched GP workforce. We asked NHS Resolution to underwrite liability for patient harm and data protection breaches from nationally mandated systems to better protect GPs adopting new technologies. 
  
  

Mind the gap - local action and safe working guidance

Local action guidance to address commissioning gaps

GPCE urges all colleagues to prioritise safe working and raise commissioning gaps or failing pathways with LMCs and ICBs (Integrated Care Boards) for local renegotiation. Practices must be properly resourced for the care they provide to ensure patient care is sustainable. Any unfunded work should either be resourced, or after LMC consultation, served notice to ICBs. LMCs play a central role in securing fair outcomes supported by our national advice. Refer to our guidance on local action for GPs and secondary care colleagues in England for further information. 

Safe working guidance

Our safe working guidance remains in place and will be updated with contractual changes. Requirements like e-consultations, fit notes, or medication queries do not oblige GPs to offer unlimited capacity that compromises safe patient care.

Template letters for workload management

Template letters are available to help practices manage workload and limit capacity to deliver safe, high-quality care.

Key headlines for the 2025/26 GP contract

• £969 million new investment uplift – comprises £889m additional core contract funding and £80m for use of e-RS advice and guidance between GPs and consultants
• This investment is on top of the £433m added to the contract during autumn last year

Listen to the GPC England Officer team discuss the detail of what has changed in the GP Contract and funding for 2025/26. The guidance on the 2025/26 contract page contains more information.  

• View the webinar recording
• BMA GP Contract 2025-26 presentation.  
  
  

2025/26 DDRB award FAQs

The Government has accepted the Pay Review Body (DDRB) recommendations for 2025/26, which includes a 4% uplift for NHS contractor/partner GPs as well as NHS practice-employed salaried GPs. 

View our comprehensive FAQs to help you understand the implications of the pay uplift and how it applies to your practice.

This uplift is inclusive of the 2.8% public sector pay assumption already included within the initial contract agreement, meaning the pay award will result in a further aggregate 1.2% uplift to the pay elements of Global Sum.

In addition, 4% uplifts are being applied to ARRS maximum reimbursable rates, SFE (statement of financial entitlements) locum cover reimbursement payments, educational allowances, GP trainer grants, Fellowship funding, the profit element of the dispensing fee scales, and the GP Educator pay scales.

Uplifts are backdated to 1 April 2025 and funds should appear in your August practice payment. LMCs are being encouraged to contact ICBs to ensure and claims already made in this financial year will be adjusted retrospectively.

NHS 10 Year Plan and neighbourhood health providers

In July 2025, the Government released its 10 year plan for the NHS. The BMA contributed actively, calling for stronger recognition of doctors’ role in delivering a sustainable NHS. Read our comprehensive submissions and find out what the 10 Year Health Plan says on BMA priority issues. 

GPC England will be discussing GP facing aspects of the plan with the Government, DHSC and NHS England in due course.

Current guidance for GPs in relation to the 10 year plan

• Responding to blueprint for new ICB model

  NHS England has published a draft blueprint for a new model for ICBs. We have summarised the proposed changes and set out the impact of these for general practice, exploring key issues that practices and LMCs will need to consider. 

• National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme guidance  

  NHS England has launched the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP). GPCE has produced a brief document (Focus on NNHIP) outlining the programme, the threats and opportunities involved and a checklist of key questions and issues for practices and those thinking of signing up.  
  
  Following the shift of care into the community via the new ‘neighbourhood health’ schemes, GPC England has also produced guidance setting core principles on out how GP practices and GP federations should engage with this and operate in an ethical, constructive and supportive manner.