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Hospice parents urge government to rethink tax rise

BBC A mother wearing a grey long sleeved top holds her daughter who is wearing glasses and a red velvet dress while she plays with a toy in front of a Christmas tree.BBC
Georgia, whose daughter Isla is supported by Julia's House, said their family would struggle without the service

Parents of seriously ill children are calling on the government to reconsider plans to increase National Insurance contributions for employers next April.

The change, which will see contributions rise from 13.8% to 15%, will leave Wiltshire based children's hospice, Julia's House, facing an extra £242,000 in annual costs when it already has a £1m budget deficit.

Chief executive of Julia's House, Martin Edwards, described the situation as "the hardest hitting financial period" the charity has faced since it opened seven years ago.

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: "We are looking at how we can financially support hospices next year to ensure they are sustainable."

Jenna and Luke with their daughter Ellie. They are all sat together in a living room. There is a Christmas tree behind Jenna.
Jenna said it is "terrifying" that some families may not have the same care they received because of the impact the tax rise would have on hospices

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is expected to announce measures to support hospices in the coming weeks, but they are unlikely to include full exemption from the tax rise.

Jenna and Luke, whose daughter Ellie receives care at Julia's House, have joined a growing campaign calling for fairer government funding for hospices.

Jenna expressed concern about the growing financial strain on hospices and stressed that the financial burden should not fall solely on donations.

"The government needs to step up and provide proper funding for hospices like Julia's House," Jenna said. "It's terrifying to think that some families might not be able to access the care we've had."

Georgia's three-year-old daughter, Isla, has complex needs and is among those relying on Julia's House for care.

"Caring for Isla is relentless," she said. "Julia's House gives me a chance to reset. Without them, we'd struggle as a family."

A man standing in a colourful play room wearing a pale blue shirt and checked tweed brown and cream waistcoat with a solemn expression on his face
Martin Edwards said its services could be at risk if the planned National Insurance increase goes ahead

Mr Edwards warned that the planned tax rise could jeopardise the hospice's future.

"If this tax rise isn't fully reimbursed, there will be huge consequences for children and families and more pressure on the NHS," Mr Edwards said.

He stressed that a solution must be found to prevent cuts to services.

"Children with palliative care needs aren't going to get better," he said.

"Without us, families would face huge struggles, and the NHS would bear the burden. The Government needs to give a proper solution to this and not leave hospices worse off than they were before the budget."

Julia's House has also launched a Christmas Appeal to help secure its future.

The Department of Health and Social Care said in a statement: "We are working to make sure everyone has access to high-quality end of life care.

"The choices the Chancellor made in the budget allowed us to invest another £26bn in the NHS."

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