Doctors earning less in Scotland than rest of UK

FAMILY doctors in Scotland are earning an average of £86,500 - less than their colleagues anywhere else in the UK.

New figures show that in 2008-9, Scottish GP earnings dropped by 1 per cent from the previous year.

The average income of 86,500 in Scotland compared with 89,700 in Northern Ireland, 90,700 in Wales and 109,600 in England. GPs in all countries saw their income drop over the year, with expenses for running their surgeries up more than 5 per cent.

According to the NHS Information Centre, almost 1,000 GPs across the UK were earning more than 200,000, although there was no breakdown for Scotland.

Data from the NHS Information Centre revealed average earnings for GPs in the UK working under a contract fell for the third consecutive year to 105,300 (before tax) in 2008-9.

This includes GPs working full and part-time and covers both NHS and private work across the UK.

A breakdown of the figures showed 14,020 GPs (42 per cent) earned 50,000 to 100,000, 12,820 (38 per cent) earned 100,000 to 150,000 and 3,280 (10 per cent) earned 150,000 to 200,000. Some 700 GPs (2 per cent) earned 200,000 to 250,000, while 250 (0.8 per cent) earned at least 250,000, roughly the same as last year.