True extent of pension taxation revealed

Thousands of GPs and hospital consultants have reduced their working hours, and thousands more are planning to cut back because of pension tax laws.

A new survey, released by the BMA, shows that 42 per cent pf the 6,000 GPs who took part in the survey have already reduced the number of hours spent caring for patients because of actual or potential pension taxation charges, in addition to the 34 per cent of GPs who are now planning to reduce their hours.

Furthermore, 30 per cent of hospital consultants have already reduced their hours, while a 40 per cent of consultants told the BMA that their intention was to reduce hours soon

At the end of 2018, the BMA surveyed hospital consultants and found then that over a third of all respondents were planning to reduce their work commitments by up to 50 per cent with nearly 18 per cent in the process of planning to reduce their working time even further or leave altogether. The new results show that those plans have become, for many, a reality.

Dr Richard Vautrey, chair of the BMA GP committee said: “These results show the extent to which GPs are being forced to reduce their hours or indeed leave the profession altogether because of pension taxes. With patient lists growing and the numbers of GPs falling, swift and decisive action is needed from the government to end this shambolic situation and to limit the damage that a punitive pensions taxation system is inflicting on doctors, their patients and across the NHS as a whole.”