The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has announced plans to raise fees to registrants by 20 per cent.
The regulator has launched a consultation on a proposed increase of its annual registrant fee by £19.62, from £98.12 a year to £117.74.
In a statement, the HCPC defended the hike as being essential to sustaining its financial viability.
“These proposals are underpinned by a careful financial analysis of what is necessary for HCPC to continue delivering our regulatory responsibilities. Without the increase we are seeking, HCPC faces no longer being financially sustainable,” it said.
The controversial move, coming as it does in the midst of the cost of living crisis, was greeted with concern by the Society.
“Our members are not only under economic pressure but also the extreme pressures under which members work make this a very poor time to be asking for another increase’” said chief executive Richard Evans while assuring members that the proposal would be met with a “robust response” and that their views would be communicated to the HCPC.
In its previous consultation, the HCPC amended their fees proposal in response to feedback and SoR members are encouraged to respond at: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HCPC_Fee_Consultation/