National Insurance Contributions: Healthcare

Lord Scriven Excerpts

Tuesday 19th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care (Baroness Merron) (Lab)]

I assure the noble Lord that there is no intent to squeeze out any providers, which are much valued and appreciated. We will continue to listen to their concerns and consult them as we make allocations, which is, as he knows, the usual practice for every Government. On the Budget settlement for the Department for Health and Social Care for 2025-26, I assure him that the Chancellor considered the impact of all the changes in the Budget.

[Lord Scriven (LD)]

My Lords, the net cost to the already struggling community pharmacy sector from the national insurance changes is roughly £50 million. One community pharmacist told me last week that this means that they either reduce services to patients by closing for the equivalent of one day a week or make one and a half members of staff redundant. What advice would the Minister give to that community pharmacist and many others in her situation?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

What I would say to each sector, including pharmacists, about the services they provide and what is expected in return from any contract is that, as in previous years—I emphasise that it is business as usual in this respect—employer national insurance contributions are dealt with as part of the process. We are very appreciative of the pharmacy sector’s contribution, not least because it will assist with one of the three pillars in moving from hospital to community services. I encourage all pharmacists to work with us to achieve what I believe they and we in government want: a service that is fit for the future.