The average earnings of a GP soared by more than 30 per cent in 2004-05, the first full year of the new contract, to reach £102,388.

GPs who also dispense drugs did even better, averaging £127,924 — an increase of 31.2 per cent on the previous year.

The figures show that the GP contract negotiated by the British Medical Association (BMA) was a bonanza for family doctors, who have been able to earn far more despite working fewer hours and giving up the out-of-hours care of their patients.

Yesterday the NHS Employers admitted that it was disappointed that the new contract had “resulted in such significant increases in individual GP income”, but added that it was reclaiming some of the cash through negotiation with the BMA on improvements to the contract.

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