The DDRB report went to ministers on 26 February, a spokesman for the pay advisory body confirmed.

GPC negotiator Dr Beth McCarron-Nash said the GPC had fought hard to obtain a rise to cover soaring GP expenses, but her expectations were low.

'In the financial climate, I would say any rise is extremely unlikely,' she said.

Dr David Jenner, GMS contract lead at the NHS Alliance, warned that even if the DDRB recommended a pay rise, the Treasury might overturn it.

'I think it will be zero per cent. Having seen what people around the country are doing to save primary care budgets, I think whatever the report says the DoH will see that there is no investment,' he said.

In October last year, chancellor Alistair Darling recommended that GPs' pay be frozen in 2010/11.

In its evidence to the DDRB, the DoH proposed an uplift of 0.5 per cent for GMS practices that would produce 'no increase in net payments'.

It said partners should use the uplift to give salaried employees a 1 per cent rise.

NHS Employers recommended a 1 per cent increase in general practice funding but added that practices should be expected to find a further 1 per cent in efficiency savings.

The BMA is calling for a 2 per cent increase in GMS funding to cover the rising expenses practices face.

A future Conservative government would freeze all public sector pay rates from 2011, shadow Conservative chancellor George Osborne has said.