The additional costs for adult care services in Wokingham as a result of the recently announced increases in employer national insurance contributions were revealed at last week’s full council meeting.
Cllr Rebecca Margetts asked the executive member for adult services, health and wellbeing what will be the implications of the recent Labour budget, and the increases in national insurance contributions made by employers, for the adult care service at Wokingham borough council?
Cllr David Hare said that Wokingham, along with our care providers, are gravely concerned about the impact.
“Many of these providers have said that if these charges are implemented in April 2025, they will simply be unable to continue to exist.
“I believe it’ll be about £3.5 million for the impact of national minimum wage and employers natural insurance contributions.
“We are not, at this stage, able to say how much of this will bee covered in our settlement (from national government) in December, but we are already concerned about this.
Cllr Margetts asked whether Cllr Hare would sign a nationwide petition against the planned increases.
She said: “By signing this on behalf of the council, you will help to force a debate in government.”
Cllr Hare said he would look at the petition, and added: “We’ve lobbied our MPs, we’ve lobbied the chancellor, we’ve lobbied a lot of people already but I’m very happy to have a conversation.”
