Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in registration fees charged by the General Pharmaceutical Council on the pharmacy workforce; and if she will hold discussions with the Council on the potential merits of introducing more flexible monthly payment options for registrants.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is independent of Government and is funded by fees charged to its registrants. The council is responsible for setting its own fees and determining flexible payment methods.

The GPhC currently offers the option for registrants to pay their fees in quarterly instalments and provides information regarding how pharmacists may be able to claim tax relief.