Quick answer
The BMA’s GP Committee England has postponed any further escalation of collective action after the government agreed to return to formal talks in September. The committee remains in dispute over the 2026/27 contract, practices are asked to continue current actions, and it says it will escalate from 1 December if talks make too little progress. Its central aim is a roadmap to a £50 per patient increase in core practice funding. For partners, the 2026/27 uplift of £485m is what is fixed for now, so plan cash flow and investment on today’s contract while keeping room to adjust.
How the dispute reached this point
The 2026/27 changes to the GMS and PMS contracts were put in place without agreement. In a BMA referendum whose result was released on 26 March 2026, more than 16,000 GPs and GP registrars voted against them, with 98.9% of those taking part opposed on a 55% turnout (BMA: GP ballot outcome).
GPC England has coordinated collective action since May. The BMA’s campaign page sets out the stages: from 1 May, not signing new voluntary data sharing agreements; from 1 June, setting aside non-contractual medicines optimisation software for new prescriptions; from 1 July, declining new shared care requests without a commissioned pathway; and from 1 August, raising public awareness (BMA: campaigning on the future of general practice).
What changed in September
The BMA reported on 17 September that it had received written confirmation that the government would re-enter formal talks, and that it was temporarily postponing further escalation. Practices are asked to continue their current actions while the dispute remains open.
Management in Practice reported on 21 September that the committee will escalate from 1 December, or sooner if talks visibly fail. The committee is seeking a jointly agreed roadmap to an extra £50 per patient in general practice funding within this Parliament. Its chair, Dr Clare Bannon, said the aim is to “reset the relationship” with government (Management in Practice, 21 September 2026).
What the 2026/27 contract pays now
Whatever the talks produce, this year’s figures are set. The BMA’s summary of the contract gives a combined uplift of £485m across practice core contracts and the PCN DES, a 3.6% cash increase, taking the total to just under £13.9 billion including Advice and Guidance funding (BMA: GP contract changes England 2026/27).
Two other changes have a direct financial effect. ARRS funding can now be claimed for GPs beyond the recently qualified, with the reimbursement ceiling raised to the top of the salaried GP range plus on-costs. And online consultation tools must not cap the number of requests submitted during core hours, which for many practices means more demand to staff.
Planning a practice’s finances in the meantime
For partners, the practical risk is uncertainty: drawings, recruitment and premises decisions all depend on income that may change from next April. A sensible approach is to plan on the contract you have, test the plan against a weaker and a stronger outcome, and keep headroom. Working capital can cover a seasonal dip or a delayed payment, and our page on managing cash flow sets out the options.
Where investment cannot wait, it can usually be spread. Equipment finance covers clinical kit, IT and software finance covers telephony and digital access systems, and refurbishment finance helps create extra clinical rooms. Practices recruiting beyond what ARRS reimburses may look at recruitment finance.
Partnership changes and premises
Partnership moves continue whatever the national picture. New partners buying into a practice’s capital or property can use partner buy-in finance, and our guide to partner capital loans explains how lenders usually assess them. For retiring partners, succession finance helps the remaining partners fund the exit, and owner-occupied surgeries can be funded or refinanced through premises finance.
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Common questions
Is GP collective action still going on?
Yes. The BMA says GPC England remains in formal dispute and practices should continue their current actions, while further escalation is postponed during talks.
What is GPC England asking for?
A confirmed roadmap for a £50 per patient increase in core practice funding, and clarity on managing unsafe levels of demand, according to the BMA.
How much did the 2026/27 GP contract add?
The BMA puts the combined uplift for practice core contracts and the PCN DES at £485m, a 3.6% cash increase, taking the total to just under £13.9 billion.
Can a GP partner borrow to buy into a practice?
Often, yes. Partner buy-in finance is commonly used by GP partners, subject to status and lender criteria. We arrange it by approaching suitable lenders on your behalf.
Official sources
Published 15 October 2026. Figures and dates are taken from the sources named and were correct on that date. This article is for general information only and should not be treated as legal, tax, accounting or financial advice. Funding availability and lender requirements depend on individual circumstances.
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