The Scottish GP Committee has written to the cabinet secretary for health Neil Gray in the next step in escalating its concerns about the level of funding provided to general practice since 2008, in preparation for a ballot of the profession on taking disruptive action.

BMA Scotland leaders said: ‘No one wants this escalation to take place, and urgent talks with the cabinet secretary and Scottish Government continue to identify how they can work with us to provide full funding restoration and exit this dispute.'

They added: ‘We have been told, time and time again, that resource must shift to the community, but with no attempt to even begin to plug the £290m gap in 2025/26 the lack of action to support the rhetoric continues.'

In response, Gray, said: ‘The Scottish Government values greatly the work of general practice and is actively taking forward discussions with the BMA over this summer to avert escalation of this dispute and address the BMA's concerns.

‘The BMA entering into formal dispute with us will not affect the care patients receive.'