BPS response to HCPC consultation on proposed fee increase

The BPS has published its formal response to the HCPC consultation. 

The proposed increase will raise fees by £19.62 to £117.74 - double the current rate of inflation. 

Launched in September, the consultation prompted a coalition of professional bodies and trade unions, led by the BPS, to join forces in writing a letter to the HCPC calling the fee increase 'disproportionate and excessive'.

95 per cent of BPS members who are also HCPC registrants and responded to a BPS survey, cited the key reasons for their opposition to the fee increase as cost of living and economic pressures, and value for money.

It its response, the BPS welcomed the proposed retention of the 50 per cent UK graduate discount for the first two years of registration, but urged the HCPC to provide further clarity for support for other groups struggling with the affordability of fees, including younger members, disabled people, women, black and ethnic minority groups, transgender people, people on parental leave, and carers.

Sarb Bajwa, chief executive of the BPS, said:

"The HCPC plays a key role in regulating our profession, and like any similar organisation, needs sufficient resources to undertake its regulatory duties. However, our members are clear that this is not the time to introduce an above-inflation fee increase, and have also highlighted how the HCPC can improve its service and support for registrants.

"We strongly urge the HCPC to reconsider this excessive hike in the interests of not only BPS members, but also our colleagues across the regulated health and care professions, who need vital support during these hugely challenging times."

Representing the views of BPS members, key points in the response include:

• 91 per cent of BPS members who responded to the organisation's survey believed the fee increase to be too large; 75 per cent said did not believe that HCPC provided value for money, and 82 per cent believed that it is not an appropriate time to increase fees given the current economic climate.
• Concerns about the negative impact a considerable registration fee rise could have on the recruitment and retention of staff, particularly in the public sector, and fear it could act as a disincentive to staff from either continuing in or returning to their important roles, particularly where, for example, staff were considering a return to work on a part-time basis.
• Support for the proposal to retain the 50 per cent UK graduate discount for the first two years of registration – however the BPS would welcome further exploration of how similar schemes could be implemented for other groups identified as struggling with the affordability of professional registration fees.
• Greater promotion of the ability to claim tax relief on fees, and agreement with the proposal to increase the spread of direct debit payments to four instalments over the two year registration period.
• The BPS would welcome the HCPC's engagement with employers to work towards securing better protected CPD time.

Thank you to all the members who responded to our survey, and provided valuable feedback and insight to support our submission.