New NSH figures also show that in England the estimated average income before tax of GPs in either a General Medical Services or a Primary Medical Services practice during the 2022/23 financial year was £110,200 for combined (contractor and salaried) GPs, this was down from £118,100 a year earlier. Salaried GPs earnt £69,200 in the year, up from £68,000 a year earlier, according to the data. Meanwhile, contractor GPs were paid £140,200, a fall from £153,400 a year earlier.

The figures reveal in Scotland the estimated average income before tax of combined (contractor and salaried) GPs was £110,800 for, down from £110,100 a year earlier.  Contractor GPs were paid £120,000, a dip from £119,500 a year earlier. In addition, salaried GPs in Scotland earnt £74,700, up from £71,900 a year earlier.

In Wales combined (contractor and salaried) GPs earnt £103,900, compared with £104,100 a year earlier, according to the figures. Contractor GPs were paid £115,300, down from £115,900 a year earlier. In addition, salaried GPs in Wales earnt £71,500, up on £70,400 a year earlier.

The figures also shows that in Northern Ireland combined (contractor and salaried) GPs were paid £99,700, down from £104,400 a year earlier. Salaried GPs in the region earnt £63,100, down from £58,600 a year earlier. Meanwhile, contractor GPs earnt £108,300 for the year, down from £115,000 a year earlier.

In response, Ruth Rankine, director of primary care at the NHS Confederation, said: ‘Today's statistics demonstrate what we have been saying – general practice is working harder than ever yet the cost of delivering services coupled with low funding settlement means less money for the workforce so ultimately delivering more for less at a time when demand is outstripping supply.

'The drop in GP earnings in England is particularly worrying at a time when we are desperate for more capacity.'

She added: ‘We welcomed the government's decision to invest more in the GP workforce through Primary Care Networks for the remainder of the year as a much-needed first step to put primary care on a more sustainable footing alongside the DDRB recommendation of a 6% pay uplift. This is vital to start to address the underlying shortfall in fully qualified GPs and to allow even more care to be delivered in the community.'