The NHS and rest of the public sector are due to be shielded from the increase in Nation Insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15%. However, GP practices are currently due to be hit by the rise.

In response, the Royal College of GPs has written to health secretary Wes Streeting, calling for GP surgeries to be protected from the rise by receiving the "necessary funding to cover these additional costs".

Ruth Rankine, director of primary care at the NHS Confederation, said: "We are grateful the government has recognised the vital role general practice plays including with the £100m of capital investment announced in the Budget and by providing additional support to recruit GPs that would otherwise be out of work.

"It is imperative that the impact of the hike in employer national insurance contributions does not go against these positive actions, especially with a challenging winter for the NHS on the horizon."

In addition, GP and a deputy chair at the British Medical Association Dr David Wrigley, said on social media: ‘Make no mistake. The impact of [national insurance] rise/lower salary threshold on NHS GP surgeries across the country will be monumental. Many are already on a financial tightrope due to years of neglect. We need a rapid announcement of full reimbursement.'

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to protect GP practices by exempting them from the rise. Health and social care spokesperson, Helen Morgan, said: 'This is a tax on community care that will hit GPs, dentists and care homes, making it even harder for them to employ enough staff and deliver the care that local people desperately need. Some risk even being forced to close altogether, leaving local patients to pay the price.

'If this new government is to avoid the disastrous mistakes the Conservatives made in office, they must exempt GPs and other health and care providers from this tax rise.'