UK Government Must Reconsider Tax Hike on Services

UK Government Must Reconsider Tax Hike on Services

Labour Risking 19 GP Surgeries in West Lothian

UK Government Must Reconsider Tax Hike on Services

Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, has urged the UK government to reconsider their planned tax hike on GP surgeries after figures showed that 19 practices in West Lothian would be impacted.

The Labour UK government has increased employers' national insurance contributions, which could add financial pressure on local organisations such as charities, care providers, and GP surgeries.

Local MSP Angela Constance stated that any tax hike from the UK government that harms the operation of GP surgeries would be "totally unacceptable." This comes following warnings from the British Medical Association (BMA) that some GP surgeries might have to close if they are not exempted from the national insurance rise.

Scotland boasts 911 GP surgeries nationwide, all of which perform a vital role in frontline healthcare, helping to maintain the health of communities.

Commenting on the situation, Angela Constance MSP said:

"The UK government’s hike to employer national insurance contributions is extremely concerning – I am deeply worried about the negative impact this will have on the operations of GPs, charities, care providers, and hospices.

"In West Lothian, we currently have 19 GP practices performing a vital role in our community – any tax hike from the UK government that impacts their services would be totally unacceptable.

"As MSP for West Lothian, I am demanding that the UK government urgently reconsiders and excludes charities, GP surgeries, care providers, and hospices from this tax rise. These organisations support so many people across West Lothian, and we should be supporting them as much as possible, not increasing their tax burden."

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