Lib Dems slam Reading's Labour MPs for supporting tax increase on GPs and care homes

Labour’s 3 Reading MPs, Matt Rodda (Reading Central), Olivia Bailey (Reading West and Mid-Berks) and Yuan Yang (Woodley and Earley), have been slammed for voting down a Lib Dem amendment which would have exempted health and care providers from the rise in employers’ national insurance.

As a result of the Government’s decision, local care homes, pharmacies, GPs and dentists face a national insurance tax hike despite the health service already being in crisis, and many of these providers are already on the brink of bankruptcy.

Reading Lib Dems said that our local Labour MPs had voted to burden GPs, care homes and pharmacies in Reading with a “health tax” and far from fixing local health services, they risked adding to already immense pressures.

Local Lib Dems called on the Chancellor to U-turn on this "disastrous" policy, so patients don’t have to pay the price of fewer health and care services.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Tilehurst, Meri O’Connell, said:

“Our local Labour MPs have voted to hit GPs, pharmacies and care homes in Reading with a health tax, and patients in our area will pay the price.

“After years of beyond shameful Conservative neglect, health services in our area are at breaking point, with many suffering on endless waiting lists.

“Now the Labour government risks adding to those pressures. This disastrous jobs tax means that many GP surgeries and care providers will be hit with bills they simply cannot afford, leaving our community without the care we deserve and many more suffering through awful pain.

“The Chancellor needs to see sense and reverse this health tax by exempting health and care providers from this foolish policy.”