Dentists 'left in the dark' over NICs hikes, say Lib Dems

The Liberal Democrats have revealed that the government made no assessment of its recent tax hike on NHS dentists.

© jarmoluk/pixabay

© jarmoluk/pixabay

It was announced at the budget that there will be an increase to employers' National Insurance Contributions (NICs) next year, but while the government has confirmed that NHS hospitals and secondary care will be exempt, GPs, pharmacies, hospices and NHS dentists will not.

Responding to a parliamentary question from the Liberal Democrats, health minister Stephen Kinnock responded that 'no assessments have been made yet on the potential impact of an increase in employers' National Insurance Contributions on dental practices' finances'.

The British Dental Association has slammed the government's failure to carry out an impact assessment, commenting that ‘it's utterly reckless to heap new costs on struggling practices without even considering the impact'.

NHS dentists across the country are warning that they will have to cut services for patients or even reduce staff numbers.

One practice in Tyneside has said that ‘it's another nail in the coffin of NHS Dentistry'.

Another practice warned ‘the recent changes to Employers NI and raising of the living wage will lead to bankruptcy and breakdowns'.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for the government to exempt NHS dentists and those providing vital health and care services, including GP surgeries, social care providers, hospices, charitable providers of health and care, and pharmacies, from this tax rise.

Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson, said: ‘The government has pulled the rug out from under crucial public health services without thinking twice.

‘It's shocking that this careless decision has been taken with no regard to the impact it would have on NHS dentists. Many will have no choice but to cut services and staff numbers.'

Chair of the British Dental Association, Eddie Crouch, added: ‘When millions can't access NHS dentistry it's utterly reckless to heap new costs on struggling practices without even considering the impact.

‘The Treasury failed to grasp that primary care is delivered by thousands of small businesses. Each requires immediate answers on how they're expected to balance their books.'

Liverpool trust ordered to pay nurse over £200k for failing to implement timely reasonable adjustments

Liverpool trust ordered to pay nurse over £200k for failing to implement timely reasonable adjustments

By Liz Wells 23 April 2025

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust has been ordered to pay more than £200,000 to a community nurse after an employment tribunal found it failed to implement ti...

Lib Dems reveal nearly 40% drop in fixing crumbling hospitals

By Lee Peart 23 April 2025

Investment in fixing crumbling hospitals has fallen by nearly 40%, according to research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats.

GP practice manager 'failed to pay' over £75,000 into staff pensions

By Liz Wells 15 April 2025

A GP practice manager who failed to pay more than £75,000 into the pension funds of staff at her surgery is facing seven years of bankruptcy restrictions. 


Popular articles by Liz Wells