‘Only one doctor left in Wick’ – MP Jamie Stone fears for future after news of National Insurance increase
Far north MP Jamie Stone warned there is only one doctor left in Wick and no psychologist in Caithness during a Commons debate on the Budget.
The impact of increased National Insurance contributions on critical services such as GPs and carers could lead to job losses and exacerbate an already difficult situation, the Lib Dem MP argued.
Last Wednesday, the Chancellor announced that Carer’s Allowance would increase from £81.90 per week to the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage per week - meaning a carer is now able to earn over £10,000 a year whilst receiving the allowance.
Mr Stone, who is a carer, welcomed that decision, but said that public services should be exempt from the National Insurance increase.
The Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP said: “I am heartened by the increase in Carer’s Allowance announced in the Budget. As a carer myself and a politician who has tirelessly advocated for them, this announcement is fulfilling.
“Unfortunately, I am much more cautious about the £3.4 billion announced for Scotland’s public services. On the surface, this could be a wonderful injection of cash into the healthcare and transport services that are on their knees in the far north.
“However, for too long I have seen the SNP syphon money into the central belt and neglect the Highlands. This money will certainly be a litmus test for their competence. They have nowhere to hide and no one to blame now. They’ve got the cash and they must commit to spending it responsibly and fairly.
“What’s more, I was disappointed to see the Chancellor increase National insurance contributions for essential services such as GPs and social care services. The situation in the far north is dire as it is; there is only one doctor left in Wick - we do not need to make it more difficult for them to get by.
“Public services, like GPs, can’t raise their costs like the private sector to cover the increase. It is only right to assume that the decision to increase National Insurance contributions could lead to job losses, which would make the care situation worse in rural areas. I hope the government will see the shortsightedness of this decision, and revise this blanket increase to include public services in the exemption.”
He said during the debate: “In the county of Caithness, there is not one psychologist — a damning fact, because we know that mental health is such a problem.”
Mr Stone also said the Labour government missed an opportunity to reverse its cuts to the winter fuel payment for pensioners.
“As one of the coldest parts of the UK, this cut is no small feat in the far north,” he said. “I’m extremely worried about my elderly constituents who will struggle this winter. It is simply not good enough for the government to omit it from their announcement. Ignoring the issue does not make it any less pertinent.”
