Health minister Dan Poulter has stated the government is fully aware of the need to address issues surrounding funding for locum GP employer pension contributions.

From 1 April, GP practices in England and Wales have had to pay the 14 per cent locum pension contributions that used to be covered by primary care organisations. General medical services practices are being given extra funding in recognition of the extra costs but GP leaders say this does not adequately reimburse practices.

The British Medical Association (BMA) stated that it's aware that locum GPs are experiencing a cut in their fees in order to cover the extra cost of the pension payments.

In a letter to BMA council chair Mark Porter, Poulter stated that the government will “state soon” its arrangements to tackle the problem. The BMA has announced that it wants to see pensions administered centrally.

Poulter wrote: “We do recognise the need to ensure that arrangements for recording and remitting locum employer contributions are proportionate and robust. The Department for Health has also recognised the need to ensure that funds spent previously by PCTs in respect of locum employer contributions are appropriately re-routed to practices."

Porter stated: “We are pleased the government has recognised this as an issue and we look forward to hearing more about their plans to address this matter.”

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