Labour promised GPs more money. Why hit them with higher national insurance? | Letter

Primary care will suffer from exposing doctors to the rise in national insurance – they should be exempt, writes Phil TaylorThe chancellor’s decision to spare the public sector from the increase in national insurance but not to include general practices, where 90% of patient contacts happen, is a clear example of the Treasury’s failure to support much-needed change (Services for most-vulnerable people at risk after NICs rise, charities say, 1 November).The Treasury chief secretary, Darren Jones, justified this by saying that many GP practices are private businesses, but a way must be found to ensure that investment in GPs and their staff is not continually held back. It is difficult to see Wes Streeting achieving his desire to see primary care playing a greater role while taking away money from general practice. Continue reading...