Since Labour announced a rise in employer National Insurance Contributions in last October’s budget, Home Instead has joined thousands across the sector calling for the social care sector to be exempt. They have warned that it will reduce the availability of quality care and increase the burden on hospitals which are already overstretched.
In February the House of Lords voted to amend the National Insurance Contributions Bill whereby businesses including GPs, hospices and care providers would be exempt from the hike in contributions. This was dismissed by MPs in a House of Commons vote last week.
Leena Lakhani, owner of Home Instead Wembley, says: "I was amongst the thousands who marched at ‘Providers Unite’. We warned the government of the dangers of maintaining the tax hike, but sadly they have failed to listen.
“When we marched, we made it clear that a thriving social care system is crucial for the overall health of the nation. We see the National Insurance hike and lowering of the threshold it is paid at as a tax on recruitment. This comes at a time when there is already a dire shortage of carers and the last thing the sector needs is to put providers off recruiting and training quality staff.
“The government hasn’t recognised the huge support the social care sector provides to the NHS and broader healthcare system. It’s needed to keep people living well in local communities, to prevent illness and to allow people who have been in hospital to transfer home as soon as they are well enough to do so.
“I’m proud to see Home Instead, and the rest of the home care sector, come together to appeal the decision. We are taking the fight further.”
Home Instead is continuing to lobby for the changes along with many organisations it works alongside, including the Homecare Association.