A report by Age UK has sounded the alarm on the devastating impact of the Government's Budget measures on local charities that provide vital services for older people. The report, 'Nothing left to trim', reveals that increased employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) will cost 69 local Age UKs, putting essential services at risk.
The measures, announced in the Chancellor's Budget, aim to increase the NICs rate to 15.05% from 2023, with the intention of reducing the national debt. However, Age UK argues that this will have a disproportionate impact on charities that rely heavily on donations and funding from local authorities.
According to the report, the increased NICs will exacerbate the funding crisis faced by local Age UKs, which provide a range of services, including advocacy, benefits advice, and support for people with dementia. The charity warns that the loss of these services will have a devastating impact on vulnerable individuals, who will be left without essential support.
Age UK has called on the Government to reconsider the NICs increase and provide additional funding to support local charities. The charity argues that the funding crisis is not just a local issue, but a national one, and that the Government has a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
The Government has defended its Budget measures, stating that they are necessary to reduce the national debt and ensure the long-term sustainability of public services. However, the opposition has criticized the measures, arguing that they will disproportionately affect low-income families and vulnerable individuals.
As the funding crisis deepens, Age UK is urging the Government to take urgent action to protect local charities and the services they provide. The charity is calling on the public to support its campaign and demand that the Government provides additional funding to support vulnerable individuals.