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Unlike other NHS services, GP practices operate as private businesses and are funded by government contracts, which means they are not exempt from the NI increases, which came into effect last month.

GP partners now have to pay NI at 15% on salaries above £5,000 instead of 13.8% on salaries above £9,100.

In January the BMA's Welsh GP committee voted to accept an updated pay offer, which includes a one-off £23m payment aimed at stabilising practices.

Dr Christmas said the new agreement was "a very welcome relief" but warned it would not solve the long-term challenges and called for GP practices to be exempt from the NI rise.

Dr Meleri Evans, an Anglesey GP, said her practice expected to pay between £30,000 and £50,000 more a year.