Dr Neil Hudson, Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, has reiterated his commitment to supporting local healthcare providers during a recent debate in the House of Commons on the Labour Government's National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill.
Despite Labour’s manifesto pledge not to increase National Insurance, this legislation will introduce a £25 billion Jobs Tax. The Bill has been widely criticised for not exempting many essential private sector firms, charities and health and social care providers, thereby forcing GP surgeries, pharmacies, care homes, and hospices to absorb this significant tax hike.
Healthcare organisations have raised serious concerns about the impact of this policy. The Royal College of General Practitioners has warned that the increased costs could force GP surgeries to make staff redundancies or even close their doors. Similarly, Marie Curie has highlighted the strain this additional financial burden will place on their ability to deliver vital end-of-life care services.
In response to these concerns, the Conservatives have successfully tabled amendments to the Bill which will protect hospices, GP surgeries, care providers, charities, transport providers for children with Special Educational Needs, and early years providers from the adverse effects of the tax increase. However, the Labour Government has voted down these amendments.
Dr Neil Hudson has been a vocal advocate for improving healthcare provision in Epping Forest. He has played a key role in securing a new Community Diagnostic Centre at St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping and continues to press the Labour Government to expedite the redevelopment of Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone. Additionally, he is working alongside local Conservative councillors to campaign for a new GP surgery in Chigwell.
In the Chamber during the Debate, Epping Forest MP Dr Neil Hudson said:
“The figures that the Minister is presenting, along with the answer that he gave to the hon. Member for Strangford, and similar to the Prime Minister, involve money going into sectors that will not mitigate the national insurance rise.
“Will he confirm that sectors such as hospices, social care, GPs and pharmacies will have some support, rather than tell us about money that is not going to help people with regard to the Jobs Tax that is coming in?”
Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray MP replied:
“The various organisations or services that I am talking about, whether GPs, pharmacies or organisations that provide social care, receive money from Government, and the way that those discussions take place is by considering pressures on the providers of those services in the round—that is the way the negotiations take place.
“Direct support for employer national insurance contributions obviously applies to central Government, local government and public corporations, which is much the same way that the previous Government approached things under the health and social care levy.
“Pressures on social care or GPs, as I have been outlining, are considered in the round in terms of their funding settlements, and as I said, the £880 million of new grant funding can be used to address a range of pressures facing adult social care.”
Speaking afterwards, Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
“I am incredibly disappointed that this Labour Government has chosen to impose additional financial pressures on vital healthcare services that are already struggling under immense strain. I was really disappointed with the Minister’s response, showing that the Government do not understand the impact of their jobs tax and they are making no attempt to mitigate the consequences that health providers in Epping Forest and across the country are having to face.
“This Jobs Tax will have devastating consequences for GP surgeries, care homes, hospices and pharmacies - services that our communities rely on every day. We Conservatives have tabled amendments to try and help mitigate the disastrous impact of this tax, however Labour sadly rejected them.
“I will continue to fight for fair treatment for these essential providers and ensure that Epping Forest residents have access to the healthcare they deserve.”
