Thousands of GP Appointments Across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Could Be Affected by National Insurance Increase
The recent increase in employer National Insurance contributions, announced in the Budget, could impact as many as 34,982 GP appointments across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, according to analysis by the Liberal Democrats. Local MP Charlotte Cane (Ely & East Cambridgeshire) is urging the government to reconsider this decision and reverse the tax rise to help protect local healthcare services.
Charlotte Cane is calling for GPs and other essential healthcare providers to be exempt from the National Insurance increase, highlighting the potential added pressure on already stretched services. Despite these requests, the government has yet to make any changes. The Liberal Democrats plan to propose amendments to the Budget legislation aimed at supporting healthcare providers and mitigating these additional costs.
The Institute of General Practice Management estimates that the tax rise will cost the average GP surgery an extra £20,000 per year. Across the 88 GP practices in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, this could total £1.76 million—equivalent to approximately 34,982 appointments based on an estimated cost of £56 per appointment. This means that, on average, each GP surgery in the region could potentially see a reduction of around 397 appointments annually.
Charlotte Cane, MP for Ely & East Cambridgeshire, said:
“Our GPs are already dealing with significant pressures following years of underfunding. This increase in National Insurance contributions places an additional financial strain on local surgeries at a time when they can least afford it.
“Local GP practices have raised concerns that these extra costs could lead to longer waiting times and make it harder for patients to secure appointments. The Chancellor should rethink this policy and consider exempting GPs from the tax increase. We need to support our frontline healthcare services, not make their job more difficult and risk patient care.”