South Devon’s Liberal Democrat MP, Caroline Voaden, has voted to back a Liberal Democrat amendment which would exempt health and care providers from the Government’s rise in employer’s national insurance, set to come into force on April 6th.
The Government voted down the amendment meaning that local care homes, pharmacies, GPs and dentists face a national insurance tax hike despite the health service already being in crisis and many of these providers already on the brink of bankruptcy.
Speaking in Wednesday’s debate, Caroline Voaden spoke of her concern over the “dire consequences for social care, primary care, the NHS, hospices and charities, many of which are delivering vital healthcare in the community.”
She highlighted the devastating impact of this “health tax” on both NHS services and local charities, stating that “this extra financial impact on voluntary sector services is short-sighted and will only heap more pressure on the NHS.”
South Devon’s MP pledged to continue standing up for the local health and care services and called on the Chancellor to U-turn at the Spring Statement next week so patients don’t have to pay the price of fewer health and care services.
Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, Caroline Voaden, said:
“I was proud to vote with my Liberal Democrat colleagues to protect local health services here in South Devon from this health tax.
“After years of Conservative neglect, it is disappointing to see the Labour government voting to risk adding to the pressures faced by our health services, which are already at breaking point. On April 6th, many GP surgeries and care providers will be hit with bills they simply cannot afford.
“The impact on individual practices is staggering – one local GP practice has told me that its costs will go up by £187,000; Rowcroft Hospice, which provides vital support to South Devon residents, said their costs are expected to rise by £220,000; and the Devon Mental Health Alliance estimates the cost increase at £375,000.
“I will fight tooth and nail to stand up for health services here in South Devon. I am calling on the Chancellor to scrap this health tax at the Spring Statement next week and exempt health and care providers from this tax rise.”
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