“How the Prime Minister could justify this decision is one I will never understand,” says Conservative MP Bradley Thomas as hospices across Britain brace for devastating tax blow
A Conservative MP has launched a scathing attack on the Labour Government after a beloved children’s hospice in his constituency was handed a £416,000 tax hike — a move he says could cost vital services and even lives.
Bradley Thomas, MP for Bromsgrove and the Villages, publicly called on the Prime Minister during today’s Prime Minister’s Questions (March 26) to reverse the decision to increase National Insurance contributions for hospices — a change that will hit Acorns Children’s Hospice in his constituency with a massive increase in its staffing costs from next month.
Despite the heartfelt plea, the Prime Minister refused to exempt hospices from the rise.
“The increased National Insurance contributions bill hitting Acorns is eye-watering,” Mr Thomas said. “How the Prime Minister could justify this decision is one I will never understand.”
A Local Lifeline Under Threat
Acorns Children’s Hospice in Bromsgrove, which provides specialist 24-hour care for children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, is one of many hospices across the UK that now faces the daunting task of absorbing soaring staffing costs without any increase in Government funding.
Trevor Johnson, CEO of Acorns, did not mince words about the real-world impact:
“The Government’s decision to increase employers’ National Insurance contributions adds an extra £416,000 to Acorns’ annual costs – to put this into perspective, this equates to eight full-time palliative care nurses.
“Combined with the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Children’s Hospice Grant beyond 2026, this places significant pressure on our ability to plan effectively and provide much-needed reassurance to the families who rely on our care.
“We never want to be in a position where we have to turn a child away.”
This Isn’t Just Bromsgrove — It’s Happening Nationwide
The warning from Mr Thomas and Acorns is not an isolated case. Hospices across the country are raising the alarm as they face similar hikes in their National Insurance bills, with no new financial support from Westminster to cover the difference.
Charitable donations — already under strain in the current economic climate — will now be redirected to cover tax bills, rather than frontline care. This could lead to staff reductions, waiting lists, or service closures.
“Acorns provides vital, specialist, 24-hour care for children and their families,” Mr Thomas said. “Sadly, services will be impacted by the Government’s decision to hike this tax on hospices.”
A Vote to Protect – Ignored
Last week, Mr Thomas voted in Parliament to exempt hospices from the National Insurance increase, standing up for the sector and his constituents. However, the Labour Government defeated the amendment, refusing to provide an exemption for these life-saving institutions.
“Although the Government clearly doesn’t seem to be listening,” Mr Thomas added, “they still have time to right this wrong and to protect hospices and charities from their National Insurance contributions increase.”
“Do Labour Understand the Damage They’re Doing?”
The outrage has raised a national question: Why is Labour targeting hospices?
Are they failing to think through the consequences? Do they understand the human cost of this policy — the parents, nurses, and terminally ill children who rely on the care these facilities provide?
As Mr Johnson makes clear, the stakes could not be higher.
“The children and families we support deserve the highly-specialised clinical care and lifeline services we provide.”
As funding pressures mount and uncertainty looms, many are now urging the Prime Minister and Chancellor to act before it’s too late.
To read more visit: www.bradleythomas.org.uk
