Plan to give free GP care for under-sixes in difficulty

Government plans to put in place free GP care for under-sixes this summer are facing an uphill battle, after a new survey found less than 8% of GPs will sign up to the deal.

After a cabinet meeting late last month, the coalition revealed it intends to implement the policy by the middle of this year, alongside a similar free system for the over-70s.

While doctors warned that negotiations over the under-sixes package are still running, senior government figures said they remained confident the system can be put in place over the coming months. The move is seen as key to bolstering electoral support among young families in the run-up to the imminent general election.