West Sussex councillors call for charities to be exempt from national insurance increase
There are fears rising costs and workforce shortages could force providers to close or cut staff
Councillors in West Sussex are calling for National Insurance (NI) increases to be exempt for care providers, charities and hospices - over concerns it could force some to cut staff or even close.
It comes ahead of a 1.2% spike in contributions starting in April - bringing rates up from 13.8% to 15%.
Bosses say they're going to raise concerns with the government in a bid to protect vulnerable people in the area, warning they will end up the most affected if charities are forced to cut services or staff to deal with the changes.
Speaking in a council meeting, Chairman of the Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee Councillor Garry Wall said the "council has played its part in full" with funding - but "cannot pick up these increases... and nor should it be expected to do so":
"Support is needed now, not vague years into the future.
"We quite often refer to the law of unintended consequences in local politics.
"This rather ill-thought out policy, which comes into force in just a few weeks time, is I'm afraid, a clear example."
St Catherine's Hospice, who provide end of life care across West Sussex, already had to cut staff and services due to rising costs.
Emma Butler's from the charity and says the rise will affect them further:
"This situation is not unique to St Catherine's and the UK hospice sector's finances are the worst they've been in 20 years.
"The National Insurance increase will have an impact, and does mean that we'll face further financial burden going forward."