As reported in the Bracknell News...
Not content with the Labour raid on Winter fuel allowance for pensioners, the impact of their NI increases and the minimum wage on social care will be severe. The Berkshire Care Association warned in November that costs imposed by Labour’s first Budget in 14 years could have a ‘devastating’ impact.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced on October 30 that employer NI contributions would rise to 15 per cent, with the threshold at which businesses start to pay for worker’s earnings lowered from £9,100 to £5,000.
Speaking on the issue this week, Councillor Hare said: “Social care has been the poor relation to the NHS for a long time, but these changes are a different level and would mean an already faltering system collapses – with terrible human cost.”
In a rare agreement within the chamber, leader of the Conservative Group Councillor Pauline Jorgensen said she was ‘extremely concerned’ about the changes.
Councillor Jorgensen said: “This threat is causing real distress in the care community, and we are urging the government to act before it is too late.
“There will be a knock-on effect on NHS costs, as good social care helps people stay independent and out of hospital.”
Wokingham Borough Council and the Berkshire Care Association have jointly signed a petition on the UK Parliament website calling for an exemption for social care providers, which has gained more than 32,000 signatures.
