In Parliament Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Epping Forest, shone a light on the wonderful work being done by healthcare professionals throughout the United Kingdom amid winter stresses.
Dr Hudson said their work was all the more challenging given the Labour Government's ill-judged policies which "will exacerbate the situation and compromise the delivery of primary health care, social care and hospice care".
Specifically Dr Hudson highlighted Labour's decision to revoke Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners and employer National Insurance contribution changes which will impact health services delivery.
Despite Labour's manifesto ruling out higher taxes on working people, including National Insurance, at the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor announced plans to increase the rate of employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) by 1.2 percentage points from April 2025. The per-employee threshold at which employers start to pay National Insurance will also be reduced from £9,100 per year to £5,000 per year.
With no exemptions yet made for vital services such as hospices, GP surgeries, pharmacists or dental practices - Dr Hudson fears the detrimental impact this rise in employer contributions to National Insurance will have on healthcare service delivery.
Moreover, Dr Hudson believes Labour's decision to cut Winter Fuel Payments is heartless and misguided. With fears of being able to afford heating, many older people will be forced to make detrimental decisions for their health, such as living in cold homes, with greater risk of falling, making hazardous journeys to warm up, and diverting money from other essentials like food and pharmaceuticals to pay for heating.
In the Chamber, Dr Hudson, asked:
"As we come into the height of winter, will the Minister join me in thanking all the amazing people on the front line, diagnosing, treating, and caring for people right across the country? But with multiple infectious disease challenges, the impacts of cold and extreme weather, the risk of falls and accidents, will the Government please now rethink their policies on winter fuel cuts and National Insurance rises, which will exacerbate the situation and compromise the delivery of primary health care, social care and hospice care?"
Speaking afterwards, Dr Hudson added:
"Given the strain our precious healthcare providers face during the colder months, it is unconscionable to pursue policies that put services and healthcare workers under increased stress.”
"I again pay tribute to all those hardworking folk who look after and care for the nation, and ask only that the Labour Government helps them in their work. With tax rises for GP practices, pharmacies, dentists and hospices, as well as Winter Fuel Allowance cuts for our pensioners, Government must be more caring and change tack on their ill-judged and damaging policies”
“A Merry Christmas and huge thank you to all our those in the frontline of health care and emergency services over this festive period."
