[Jimbuna]

'Sick kids will pay price!' Labour's disastrous NI hike to cripple children's hospices

Rachel Reeves' crippling National Insurance hikes will cost England's children's hospices nearly £5m more every year, according to new research.

Without urgent action services will be cut, leaving families at crisis point. And it's seriously ill youngsters who will pay the price, says one leading palliative care charity.

Together for Short Lives surveyed 20 of the 35 children's hospice organisations across the country.

It estimates that the increase in Employers' NI Contributions announced in the Autumn Budget translates to £134,000 extra in staff bills next year. And in total the cost of providing care will rise by a staggering £4.9m.

The charity wants the Government to reimburse hospices for the rise in ENICs, as well as maintaining NHS England's funding and increasing it from £25m to reflect growing costs.

Chief Executive Nick Carroll told the Daily Express: "Rachel Reeves' decision to increase employer National Insurance contributions at the Budget is ramping up the financial strain on children's hospices at a time when they are already grappling with significant funding challenges.

"If the government does not reimburse children's hospices for the rise - and if it fails to maintain, increase and centrally-distribute the NHS Children's Hospice Grant - services will be cut, jobs will be lost, and seriously ill children will pay the price."
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/fam...4bde878f&ei=79