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Evaluation of the Revised DWP Offer: Implications, Issues, and Expert Insights

We are seeking your views on the recent offer from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) regarding the increase in general practice factual report (GPFR) rates. The DWP has proposed raising the fee paid for each completed GPFR from £33.50 to £53.50, a 60% increase from the current amount, in response to the Professional Fees Committee (PFC) request for a higher rate. However, this offer comes with several conditions, including commitments to encourage timely responses, promote high-quality reporting, facilitate training sessions, and support ongoing digitisation efforts. The DWP has also stated that progress against these principles will be reviewed after one year, with the possibility of reverting to the previous fee if they are not met. Your feedback will help us determine how best to respond to the DWP’s proposal and represent your interests in ongoing discussions. Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey and share your perspective.

All answers are anonymous: personal details, such as your name or email, are not requested at any point. Analysis of the data will be in aggregate form and will not be used in any way that allows individuals to be identified.

We thank you in advance for your feedback.
GDPR statement
The information in this survey is being collected to inform the BMA about doctors completing DWP forms. Some demographic information may also be collected for monitoring purposes. Any data supplied will be viewed by BMA staff and, where appropriate, elected members. This data may include incomplete responses where the respondent has exited the survey before the final submission page. Data will be retained by the BMA for a period not exceeding 12 months post the closure of the survey, before final deletion. Individual identifiable data will not be shared with third parties. Anonymised or statistical data may be used publicly or shared with third parties. Participants should not provide personal data of any person unless they are specifically asked to do so. The BMA's privacy policy is available here. If you have any queries or concerns about this survey, please contact info.research@bma.org.uk
1.What region do you work in?(Required.)
As part of the proposal, the DWP has outlined several conditions that will be incorporated into a memorandum of understanding, including the following:
  • Actively encourage GPs to return GPFR requests within 10 working days.
  • Provide regular messaging on the importance of high‑quality GPFR responses and clarify what the Department expects.
  • Facilitate a webinar/virtual session for all members, delivered by DWP/Functional Assessment Service (FAS) suppliers, on “what a good GPFR looks like,” and actively promote attendance.
  • Continue supporting the digitisation agenda outlined in the Green Paper, particularly around improving access to Further Evidence.
2.Do you find the proposed conditions of this offer acceptable?
3.Do you consider an increase in the fee from £33.50 to £53.50 to be acceptable, or would you prefer that any adjustment be linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) £61.17 (based on January 2026 latest CPI data) within a defined period, such as e.g. 12 - 18 months?(Required.)