Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact on health inequality of the Plan B put to the GP Committee.

We recognise that the British Medical Association (BMA) may choose to ballot its members on a range of issues. Such ballots are a matter for the organisation and do not in themselves determine Government policy. The National Health Service, including general practice, will always remain free at the point of use.

We remain committed to working constructively with the general practice profession, including the General Practitioners’ Committee for England of the BMA, to ensure that general practice is sustainable and continues to deliver high-quality care for patients.

The United Kingdom faces significant health inequalities, with life expectancy and healthy life expectancy varying widely both within and between communities. Through our 10-Year Health Plan, we are committed to tackling the social determinants of health, improving healthy life expectancy for everyone and halving the gap between the richest and poorest regions.