Roz Savage MP votes for Lib Dem amendment to exempt GPs and care homes from “health tax”
South Cotswolds Liberal Democrat MP, Roz Savage, has backed a Liberal Democrat amendment which would exempt health and care providers from the Government’s rise in employers’ national insurance, due to come into force on 6th April.
However, the Government voted down the amendment, meaning that local care homes, pharmacies, GPs and dentists face a national insurance tax hike despite the crisis in the National Health Service and many of these providers already being on the brink of bankruptcy.
From meeting with the CEO of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, to visiting care homes like Elm Grove in Cirencester, to applauding the work of community pharmacies like Malmesbury Pharmacy, Roz has been actively engaging with NHS services around the South Cotswolds constituency. She also met with care workers from the National Association of Care and Support Workers who were up in London last month for a rally, calling for urgent action from the government to ensure better conditions for care workers.
She has repeatedly heard from the dedicated professionals who care for our communities about the strain, stress, and struggles they are facing - challenges that will only be exacerbated by the forthcoming rise in employers' national insurance. The message is clear: health services are already under immense pressure, and additional financial burdens like this will make it even harder for them to provide the care that local people rely on.
Roz criticised the Government’s decision which will burden GPs, care homes and pharmacies in the South Cotswolds with a “health tax”. She pledged to continue standing up for local health and care services and is urging the Chancellor to cancel the rise when she makes her Spring Statement on Wednesday, so that patients won’t end up paying the price of the rise in worse health and care services.
Roz said:
“I was proud to vote with my Liberal Democrat colleagues to protect local health services here in South Cotswolds from this health tax.
“After years of Conservative neglect, health services in our area are at breaking point with many people on seemingly endless waiting lists.
“That is why it is incredibly disappointing to see the Labour government voting to add to these pressures. This decision means that on 6 April GP surgeries and care providers will be hit with bills that many cannot afford, putting our community health services at risk.
“I will fight tooth and nail for health services here in South Cotswolds. I am calling on the Chancellor to scrap this health tax in her Spring Statement on Wednesday and exempt health and care providers from the National Insurance increases.”
ENDS