Edinburgh West MP: Exempt GPs and care homes from tax hike before they shut up shop 

GPs and care providers in Edinburgh West will be “pushed to the brink” without an exemption from the Budget’s National Insurance tax hike, Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine has said.

At last week’s Budget, the UK Government provided extra funding for the NHS and other public sector organisations to cover the cost of the tax rise. However, as many GPs and care providers are separate employers providing NHS services under contract, they will miss out on this financial help.

Edinburgh West’s MP, Christine Jardine, has called today for crucial health and care services in Edinburgh West to be exempted from the NI hike, which she says risks putting smaller providers out of business.

Christine Jardine MP said: 

“I am stunned and disappointed that the first act of a Labour Government, which promised people so much is to pile financial pressure on the burden already faced by our GPs and care providers. 

"I have already heard from practices in my constituency who are concerned about the cost implications of this change. 

“GPs and care providers in Edinburgh West have already had to endure 17 years of SNP mismanagement and the fallout from the Conservative cost-of-living crisis. 

"Now, Labour’s incompetence will add to the enormous pressures many small and medium-sized providers are facing. Without a change in these rules, many will simply be forced to shut up shop.

“My constituents deserve high-quality health and care services, wherever they live. The government must change course and exempt GPs and care providers here in Edinburgh West from this unfair tax hike, and stop vital services disappearing from our community.”