Harrogate and Knaresborough MP votes for Lib Dem amendment to exempt GPs and care homes from “health tax”

Harrogate and Knaresborough’s Liberal Democrat MP, Tom Gordon, has voted to back a Liberal Democrat amendment which would exempt health and care providers from the Government’s rise in employers national insurance, set to come into force on April 6th.

The Government voted down the amendment meaning that local care homes, pharmacies, GPs and dentists face a national insurance tax hike despite the health service already being in crisis and many of these providers already on the brink of bankruptcy.

Since the Employer NICs hike was first announced by the Government, Tom has been contacted by many constituents, including GPs and care homes, who are worried about the potential impact on their operations. Last year, Lib Dem research revealed that over 200,000 GP appointments in Yorkshire could be lost as a result of the hike. 

Tom Gordon said they expressed “disappointment” at the Government’s decision and that the vote risked burdening GPs, care homes and pharmacies in Harrogate and Knaresborough with a “health tax”.

Harrogate and Knaresborough’s MP pledged to continue standing up for the local health and care services and called on the Chancellor to U-turn at the Spring Statement next week so patients don’t have to pay the price of fewer health and care services.

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

“I was proud to vote with my Liberal Democrat colleagues to protect local health services here in Harrogate and Knaresborough from this health tax.

“After years of beyond shameful Conservative neglect, health services in our area are at breaking point with many suffering on endless waiting lists.

“That is why it is incredibly disappointing to see the Labour government voting to risk adding to these pressures. This decision means that on April 6th many GP surgeries and care providers will be hit with bills they simply cannot afford, leaving our community without the care we deserve and many more suffering through awful pain.

“I will fight tooth and nail to stand up for health services here in Harrogate and Knaresborough. I am calling on the Chancellor to scrap this health tax at the Spring Statement next week and exempt health and care providers from this tax rise.”

ENDS