Helen Maguire, MP for Epsom & Ewell, has expressed deep disappointment after a Lib Dem amendment to exempt GPs, dentists, pharmacies, hospices, and other health and social care providers from the Government’s proposed tax hike failed to pass on Tuesday. The National Insurance Contributions Bill, which threatens to impact both local businesses and vital healthcare providers, has now been approved without the protective measures Maguire and her colleagues championed. 

Before the vote, Maguire had spoken out in Parliament, raising grave concerns about the negative consequences of the Bill for essential healthcare services and local businesses. 

MP for Epsom & Ewell, Helen Maguire MP said in Parliament: 

“I am greatly concerned about the consequences of this Bill. It represents an unfair jobs tax that risks harming the livelihoods of countless individuals and the viability of small businesses at a time when they are already grappling with a multitude of challenges.” 

“Community pharmacies—critical frontline healthcare providers—will be especially hard hit. The owner of Horton Pharmacy and Travel Clinic in Epsom told me, ‘We are estimating that it’s going to cost an extra £12,000 a year. It’s very distressing and making it harder to keep our doors open and help reduce the burden on other parts of the NHS.” 

Martin Barrett, Managing Director of Nellsar, which operates care homes in Epsom and Ewell, has issued a stark warning about the challenges facing the care sector.  

Speaking about the impact of rising costs Martin Barrett said: 

"Last year, we created 30 jobs focused on activities and well-being, but I’ve had to pull them due to the huge cost increase of my other staff. I pulled them on the day of the Budget—it's simply not affordable." 

He highlighted the unfair fees and disparities between self-funders and those funded by local authorities, noting that self-funders already pay 40% more. The National Insurance increase will add another 15% to private fees, creating a two-tier care system. 

"Unless the government funds the NI increase, the cost will fall to private residents or come out of already razor-thin potential profits," Barrett explained. "This will accelerate care home closures, exacerbate hospital bed blockages, and delay discharges—putting even more pressure on an overstretched NHS." 

Maguire highlighted that the proposed tax hike will also disproportionately affect social care providers, GPs, and hospices—sectors already at breaking point. With 300,000 people a year treated in hospices, only a third of which is government-funded, these hikes threaten essential care services. 

Following the vote, Maguire expressed her disappointment, saying: 

“I am very disappointed that our amendment, designed to protect vital health and care services as well as hardworking local businesses, did not go through. The passing of the National Insurance Contributions Bill without these important exemptions is a missed opportunity to support our communities and protect local jobs. I will continue to fight for a fairer, more sustainable approach that safeguards our local health services and supports growth rather than stifling it.”