Prime Minister urged to exempt hospices from tax rise

Prime Minister faces pressure from opposition parties to exempt private hospices from upcoming tax increases. Starting in April, National Insurance contributions will rise. The NHS and public sector will be protected from this increase, but private health care providers like hospices and care homes will not. Leaders from both the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats have called for these exemptions. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stated her party would support a proposal to protect hospices, pharmacies, and care providers from the tax increase. However, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer argued that these organizations had already received significant support and that the tax rise is essential for funding the NHS. During Prime Minister's Questions, Badenoch pressed for government action. Starmer responded by highlighting past investments in hospices, claiming they had already received more than £100 million in support. He said that the tax rise would allow record funding for the NHS. Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, sought assurance that Labour members would not oppose their proposal in Parliament. He pointed out that many health service providers were worried about the tax increase. As of April, the National Insurance rate for employers will increase from 13.8% to 15%, affecting various health service providers.