Tom Morrison MP backs amendment to exempt GPs, dentists, and hospices from Government NICs tax hike

Tom Morrison, Liberal Democrat MP for Cheadle, is calling on the Government to exempt GPs, hospices, and other health and social care providers from the planned rise in National Insurance Contributions (NICs). Today (Tuesday, 17 December), Tom Morrison and the Liberal Democrats have secured a vote in Parliament on an amendment to the NICs Bill that would shield these vital services from the financial burden of the tax increase.

The Liberal Democrat amendment seeks to protect health and care providers, including GPs, dentists, pharmacies, hospices, and charitable health and care organisations, from being hit by the rise.

Tom Morrison MP highlighted the impact this tax hike would have on local health services, particularly St Ann’s Hospice, which serves residents across Greater Manchester and Cheshire. St Ann’s provides critical end-of-life care to thousands of people annually, but only a third of its funding comes from the Government, with the rest reliant on charitable contributions. The additional costs from the NICs rise could jeopardise the hospice’s ability to continue delivering the same level of care.

Tom also raised concerns from local GPs, who have contacted him about the financial strain the NICs increase would place on their surgeries. Research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed that the tax hike could cost GP surgeries across the UK an extra £125.5 million a year – equivalent to over two million patient appointments lost annually.

Commenting on the issue, Tom Morrison MP said:
“I’ve heard directly from St Ann’s Hospice and local GPs across Cheadle constituency who are deeply worried about how this tax hike will affect their ability to deliver care. For St Ann’s Hospice, this could mean even greater pressure on their already stretched resources, and for GPs, it could mean fewer appointments for patients who urgently need them.

“Ultimately, it’s local patients who will pay the price for this self-defeating tax rise. That’s why I’m backing the Liberal Democrat amendment to exempt these vital health and care providers from the Government’s NICs hike.

“The Government must focus on fixing our health services and supporting organisations like St Ann’s Hospice, not burdening them with additional costs. As your MP, I will keep fighting to protect local health and care services in Cheadle.”