GPs and care providers in Renfrewshire will be “pushed to the brink” without an exemption from the UK Budget’s National Insurance tax hike, Scottish Liberal Democrat campaigner Grant Toghill has said.
Renfrewshire GPs and care providers are already in crisis, but the tax hike will add to the pressure by forcing small care providers and GPs to pay more in National Insurance Contributions.
The UK Government provided extra funding for the NHS and other public sector organisations to cover the cost of the tax rise. However, GPs and the vast majority of care providers are private and so won’t benefit from this help.
Grant Toghill has called today for crucial health and care services in Renfrewshire to be exempted from the National Insurance hike – or risk them shutting up shop.
Scottish Lib Dem campaigner Grant Toghill said: “GPs and care providers in Renfrewshire are already under immense pressure following years of SNP mismanagement and now Labour is looking to only add to this.
“These decisions the Chancellor made at the UK Budget will push those crucial services to the brink. Some could even be forced to shut up shop.
“People must be able to access decent health and care services. To deliver this, the UK Government must change course and exempt GPs and care providers here in Renfrewshire from the tax hike.”
Headline image: Grant Toghill at Bishopton Medical Practice
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Liberal Democrats