Keighley and Ilkley’s MP Robbie Moore has warned that care providers across are are facing serious risks due to measures announced by the new Labour government in the budget.
The increase in employer National insurance contributions announced by Rachel Reeves does not exempt local general practices, dentists, hospices, or care homes – meaning that care providers face tens of thousands of pounds of additional costs.
It comes after the British Medical Association said the nation could see GP practices closing if they are made to pay higher NI contributions. The BMA has estimated that the increase in NICs would cost an extra £865 for every employee earning £30,000.
In a tweet to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Caroline Rayment - Clinical lead for Wharfedale and Silsden community partnership said: “you came to our practice in June and told us you wanted to support the family Dr. Costs for the NMW and NI will come to approx £50k - we are a small practice of 7000 patients - how is this helping us ?”
Mr Moore has joined MPs in a letter to Rachel Reeves urging the Chancellor to reverse her decision and, as a bare minimum, exempt all those organisations who provide NHS services and support.
In the letter, the MP’s say:
“To govern is to choose. There is no shame in getting a decision wrong and correcting course. However, there is in failing to acknowledge such an error and resolutely continuing regardless. In light of the concerns set out above, we respectfully request that you reverse the Government's decision to increase employer NICs. At the very least, we urge you to extend the exemption for these reforms to include all those organisations who provide NHS services and support, including General Practices, care homes, hospices, and dentists.”
