Govt rejects NICs relief for health and care providers in “shocking display of apathy”

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Responding to the Government voting for a second time to reject Liberal Democrat amendments which would have permitted health and care providers to be exempt from the National Insurance rise, and permitted hospitals and healthcare settings to be exempt from new higher business rates, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Helen Morgan MP said:

“In a shocking display of apathy towards patients, Labour MPs have refused to back down on tax hikes targeting hospitals, GPs, dentists, pharmacies, hospices and care homes.

“It is patients who will pay the price for these misguided tax hikes on a sector that desperately needs our support to keep saving lives. 

“Following years of Conservative mismanagement, our healthcare system has been left on its knees and now Labour wants to hobble it further. 

“The Liberal Democrats are proud we have led the fight to exempt hospitals, health and care providers, and we will do everything we can to protect patients and the future of our NHS. 

“The Government must see sense and use tomorrow’s Spring Statement to U-turn on these disastrous policies, by exempting hospitals and health and care providers from these utterly nonsensical tax rises.”

ENDS