Executive Carers Ltd, a leading private care provider in Lichfield, is raising its voice against the recent increase in employer National Insurance contributions (NICs), arguing that it places an unfair financial burden on them while exempting the NHS and local councils. This discrepancy is jeopardising the quality and availability of care for the most vulnerable members of society in Lichfield and beyond.
As a provider commissioned by local councils to deliver essential community care services, Executive Carers is effectively utilising taxpayer money. Yet, it is being forced to shoulder additional NICs costs, which are not imposed on its public sector counterparts. This inequity threatens to undermine the financial viability of private care providers, leading to reduced services and potential closures, further straining an already overburdened social care system. This means fewer carers, longer waiting times, and ultimately, a loss of essential support for the elderly and disabled in Lichfield. Why should our most vulnerable be the ones who pay the price for an unfair taxation system?
“This increase is not only unjust but illogical,” says Sara Bennett, Owner and Registered Manager of Executive Carers Lichfield. “By exempting local councils and the NHS while burdening private providers, the government is creating a two-tier system that disadvantages private organisations. We’re expected to deliver the same quality of care under increasingly challenging financial conditions, all while competing with local councils who now have a distinct financial advantage in contract bidding. This is nothing short of a betrayal of the people who depend on our services.”
The disparity in NICs contributions creates an uneven playing field for contract awards, tilting the scales in favour of local councils whose pricing models are now inherently more competitive. This situation risks sidelining private providers who have long been a backbone of community care, offering tailored and compassionate support to those who need it most. If this continues, elderly people in Lichfield will go without care, disabled individuals will lose vital independence, and the most at-risk members of our society will be left without the support they rely on.
In response to this pressing issue, Executive Carers and other private care providers will unite on Tuesday, 25th February 2025, for a Day of Action, calling on the government to rethink this damaging policy. The Day of Action will feature rallies, media engagement, and direct appeals to policymakers, emphasising the critical role private providers play in the health and social care ecosystem.
“We are committed to delivering high-quality care, but we need a level playing field,” adds Sara Bennett. “The government must recognise the value we bring and the untenable position we’re being placed in. Without urgent action, those who suffer most will be the individuals and families relying on our services. This is a fight for fairness, a fight for dignity, and a fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.”
Executive Carers and other private providers are calling on the government to extend the NICs exemption to all organisations delivering essential community care services, regardless of their public or private status. This change is necessary to ensure fairness, protect jobs, and guarantee that vital care services remain accessible to everyone who needs them.
For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Sara Bennett on 01543 417433
#ProvidersUnite #EqualCareForAll #FairFundingNow