Social care a “gaping hole” in chancellor’s budget says South Devon MP

South Devon MP, Caroline Voaden, has said the lack of discussion around social care was a “gaping hole” in the Chancellor’s Budget, in a speech in which she also called for more support for farmers and a renegotiation of the NHS dentistry contract.  

Speaking in the House of Commons during the ongoing debate about the Budget, Caroline also shared her concerns about the lack of tax relief offered by the Chancellor to hospitality, leisure, and tourism businesses.  

Last week, the Chancellor announced that the rates relief offered to companies in these sectors would drop from 75% to 40%, a move which Caroline believes will “increase the burden on small and medium-sized businesses, which are the engines of our economy and the lifeblood of our communities.” 

Along with calling for more support for farmers, Caroline also urged the government to abandon its proposed “tractor tax”, which could see up to 27% of farms being forced to pay a higher rate of inheritance tax.  

Delivering her speech, Caroline said:  “There is no doubt the government inherited an economic mess and had some tough decisions to make. But, despite this, I’m disappointed there was no mention of the word dentist in the Chancellor’s speech last week and that there is no renegotiation of the NHS dentistry contract in sight.  

“The lack of discussion around social care is also a gaping hole. Liberal Democrats have been calling loudly for a cross-party conversation on social care and we estimate the introduction of free personal care could deliver annual savings to the NHS of up to £3.3bn by 2031. 

“It was distressing to hear local care providers, already stretched to breaking point, saying this weekend that the additional employers’ NI they’ll have to pay could signal the death knell for some employers – absolutely the opposite of what the sector and the country needs.  

“What is also the opposite of what the country needs is a hospitality, leisure, and tourism sector that isn’t given the support it needs to thrive. While the permanent rate relief announced by the Chancellor is welcome and provides some stability, it needs to be part of a fundamental overhaul of the whole rates system.  

“The Liberal Democrats believe that there are much fairer ways of raising revenue than hitting small businesses across the country.   

“Our manifesto set out our calls for a fairer tax system, including raising money by reversing the Conservatives’ tax cuts for the big banks, or by asking the social media giants or oil & gas companies to pay more.”