William Eichler 27 January 2025

Tax hike threatens to add to nursing home costs

Tax hike threatens to add to nursing home costs image
Image: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A / Shutterstock.com.

The Government has been urged to reverse its hike in national insurance on care providers as new figures reveal the extent to which nursing costs for pensioners have increased over the past decade.

Analysis of House of Commons Library data by the Liberal Democrats has found that local authorities are spending £53,352 a year in nursing costs per pensioner.

This is up more than £24,000 on 2015/16’s level of £29,276 a year and represents an 82% jump in total.

In 2015/16 nursing care costs paid by councils per pensioner were £563 a week. As of 2023/24 that number stood at £1,026 a week.

Referring to the increase in NICs, Lib Dem Treasury spokesperson, Daisy Cooper MP, said it was disappointing that the Government has decided to ‘ram through this self-defeating jobs tax’.

‘Councils providing care are already warning that their budgets are in turmoil and this tax rise will only make it more expensive, stretching their finances even further,’ she said.

‘Instead of heeding these warnings, the Chancellor has pushed ahead with this foolish tax hike and Ministers risk repeating the Conservatives' mistakes of kicking the can down the road on desperately needed social care reform.’

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘We are making available up to £3.7bn extra for local authorities next year. We are also investing in an extra 15,000 home adaptations to support disabled people to stay in their homes and raising the carers allowance.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Part Time Finance Administrator

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Finance AdministratorPermanent, Part Time£25,081 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Customer Services Adviser (Housing Repairs

Mansfield District Council
£28,598 - £33,699 per annum
Mansfield is a town of towns at the centre of things in Nottinghamshire - a place of many strong connections Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Mansfield District Council

No Wrong Door Deputy Manager

North Yorkshire Council
From £47,181 up to £51,356 per annum pro rata
We’re looking for a passionate, driven, and dynamic professional to join our management team within our innovative No Wrong Door (NWD) service. Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Resource Centre Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£34,434 - £38,220 per annum pro rata
You will work closely with families and other professionals to ensure that you have sound knowledge of the children you are caring for Morton on Swale, Northallerton
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Social Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220 - £42,839 per annum, pro rata
Our Family Assessment and Support Teams you will work with a range of children and their families, carers and networks. Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner