GPs suffered a small overall loss of income last year, according to figures published yesterday.

The main loss was suffered by doctors working on salaries or under the primary medical services contract, according to the NHS Digital figures.

GP leaders said they represented a continued “squeeze” on GP earnings.

GPs under the standard general medical services contract enjoyed a 1.8% increase in income as taxable earnings reached £99,500.

In contrast salaried GPs suffered, overall, a 1.5% decrease in income, earning £55,800 on average before tax.

Those on primary medical services contracts suffered a 1.9% reduction in taxable income – but earned on average £106,000 each.

Overall GP earnings fell by 1.2%, according to the analysis.

Dr Richard Vautrey, chair of the British Medical Association GP committee, said: “It’s no wonder young doctors are not choosing to become GPs, further impacting the workforce crisis in general practice.

“As the cost of running a local GP service continues to rise well beyond the funding increases provided by the government, it leaves many practices with insufficient funding to cover staffing and building costs, which now account for almost two thirds of most GP practices’ budgets.

“This situation is exacerbating the wider workforce and workload problems that are undermining general practice throughout England.”