CSP limits 2026 membership subscription increase to below inflation

Why is an increase needed?

We face rising costs to provide services for members because of inflation.

As a not-for-profit member-funded organisation, the CSP relies on subscriptions to continue to advocate for the profession, provide services and provide the community of practice.

Over the last 12 months, thanks to members’ funding and the efforts of all our teams, we have delivered more for our members and the profession, including:

• Supporting more members face-to-face in the workplace and helping them to challenge local issues
• Accrediting more qualifying training programmes than ever before to ensure the continued high quality of physiotherapy education
• Supporting an increasing number of members facing HCPC hearings, at an average cost of £20k per case
• Ensuring rehabilitation is recognised as central to the future of healthcare by securing its prominence in the government’s 10-year health plan
• Raising the alarm about recruitment freezes, and their impact on physiotherapy graduates, pushing for urgent national action to protect our future workforce and patient care

We are also modernising the service by replacing and renewing essential front-end and back-end systems. Investing in the CSP’s digital capabilities will ensure the CSP continues to provide effective and efficient services to members, though some of the changes will come in over the course of the next few years.

What are you doing to reduce costs?

We:

• closed the old staff pension scheme to limit future costs  
• reduced travel costs through more online events and meetings
• moved to a less costly London office
• closed the Edinburgh office
• review our digital capabilities to ensure we are working in a modern and effective way, but this comes at a cost initially
• regularly review our PLI arrangements to ensure the best value for members
• review and negotiate better value with suppliers and contractors to make sure we get the best possible deal 

Why are you not using reserves to keep subs down?

The CSP’s Reserve Policy and allocation is set by Council. Funds are allocated to enable investment to reduce risk and improve the CSP’s sustainability for the long term. 

What does the CSP do for me?

CSP supports and protects you 

• Up to £10 million of professional liability insurance cover*
• Access to advice on employment and professional matters*
• Represented in national pay reviews and negotiations*
• Support challenging unfair terms and conditions, or discrimination at work**. 

CSP helps you achieve your full potential 

• Digital resources and tools to boost professional development,  including a mentoring platform, digital portfolio, learning hub
• Connecting with members through regional, country, professional and diversity networks
• Staying up to date with Frontline magazine, quarterly journals and regular email bulletins 
• Evidence and best practice through in-person and virtual events.  

CSP is a strong and influential community 

• Raising awareness of the value of physiotherapy with government, employers and other stakeholders
• Improving education and working conditions for physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers
• Supporting the movement to achieve recognition for rehabilitation and secure rehab services 
• Promoting equal access to health services for all 
• Holding national health departments accountable for integrating physiotherapy into primary care.

CSP membership gives you value for money 

• Insurance, union support and professional body membership for just one fee
• Reduced rates for recent graduates, support workers and non-working members
• Reclaim tax on your subscription, subject to eligibility
• Avoid the risk of substantial costs from not having our support. For example, the costs of defending yourself at an HCPC hearing could be over £12,000.
• Save £10 on joining or get a £10 reward for recruiting a colleague with our Refer and Reward scheme.

*These member benefits are only available to UK practising chartered and associate members, and student members. Terms and conditions apply to PLI.

**CSP trade union representation is only available to UK chartered and associate practising members. Student members will need to seek representation through the National Union of Students (NUS).

Why is the CSP membership more expensive than many other professional bodies?

CSP membership includes a professional body, a union and insurance in a single membership. This makes it a lot cheaper for members than the equivalent package of multiple memberships that other professions, such as chiropractors, osteopaths or doctors, must have.

For example, an FCP only needs their CSP membership, but a GP needs BMA, RCGP and medical defence union subscriptions to get the same benefits.

For associate members, we are cheaper than most union equivalent memberships.

Why not stop sending out Frontline to save money?

We keep the format and costs of Frontline under regular review. But Frontline is one of the top three most used methods of members getting information from the CSP. A majority still prefer to have a hard copy.  

Members can opt out of receiving the hard copy by contacting enquiries. We are looking at encouraging those members who regularly access CSP information in other ways to opt out, but expect to be providing hard copies to many people for some time to come.

The environmental impact is minimised by using sustainable paper and paper wrappers, and we are looking for further ways to reduce the environmental impact of the magazine. It’s also worth noting that electronic communications have their own environmental footprint, so this is kept under balance and review.