201,070 GP appointments at risk in Yorkshire due to national insurance hike

The rise in employers’ national insurance announced at the Budget could put 201,070 GP appointments at risk in Yorkshire due to increased costs to practices, Liberal Democrat analysis has revealed. It comes as Tom Gordon, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, has called on the government to “act immediately” and scrap the hike.

Tom Gordon and the Liberal Democrats have called on the government to exempt GPs and other health and care providers from the rise, but so far ministers have refused to do so. The Liberal Democrats are seeking to use amendments to upcoming legislation on the Budget to exempt GPs from the National Insurance tax rise.

The Institute of General Practice Management has estimated that the rise will mean the average GP surgery’s tax bill will go up by around £20,000 a year. This could end up costing GPs in Yorkshire £11,260,000 over all 563 practices in the region.

This is the equivalent cost of providing 201,070 GP appointments, at £56 per appointment. It means it could cost the average GP surgery the equivalent of 357 appointments a year.

Commenting, Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said:

“GPs across Yorkshire are set to be hammered by higher taxes at a time when they have already been run into the ground by the previous Conservative government.

“I have heard from hardworking GPs in my constituency who have said that this will make it harder for people in to get an appointment when thousands are already struggling to do so, and worsen the standard of care. 

“The Chancellor must act immediately, scrap these proposals and exempt GPs from this tax hike. Our local health services desperately need help, and we cannot rescue them whilst burdening them with even more costs.”

ENDS

Liberal Democrat analysis of additional costs to GPs due to employers' NICs rise can be found here.

Cost of a GP appointment estimated to be £56 by the King’s Fund can be found here.

The Institute of General Practice Management’s estimate that the rise will mean the average GP surgery’s tax bill will go up by around £20,000 a year can be found here.

The number of GP practices can be found here.

The data used covers Yorkshire only, excluding North and North East Lincolnshire. Including these areas, to expand up to all of the Yorkshire and Humber region, brings the totals to 601 GP practices, £12,020,000 as the projected cost, and a potential loss of 214,642 appointments.