Aberdeenshire MSP urging UK Government to reconsider tax hike on GP surgeries
A call has been made for the UK government to reconsider its planned tax hike on GP surgeries after figures showed that 30 practices in the north-east would be impacted.
The warning comes after the Labour government hiked employers national insurance contributions, but failed to take into account this will put more pressure on the finances and services of local organisations such as charities, care providers and GP surgeries.
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin has said that any tax hike from the UK government which harms the operation of GP surgeries would be “totally unacceptable”.
This follows warnings from the British Medical Association that some GP surgeries would have to close if they are not exempted from the national insurance rise.
Scotland has 911 GP surgeries nationwide which all perform a vital role in front line health care – helping to look after and keep communities healthy.
Ms Martin 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 Aberdeenshire we currently have 30 GP practices performing a vital role in our community – any tax hike from the UK government which impacts on their services would be totally unacceptable.
“As the MSP for Aberdeenshire East, 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 Aberdeenshire, we should be supporting them as much as possible, not increasing their tax burden.”
