A letter raising concerns over the impending increase to National Insurance contributions has been signed by 48 organisations in Scotland.
Signatories include the likes of Homes for Scotland, the Scottish Trades Union Congress, and Skills Development Scotland, as well as the British Dental Association and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
At present, the estimated cost to organisations delivering public services in Scotland to cover the increase in employer National Insurance contributions could amount to £700 million, the Scottish Government warned.
First minister John Swinney said, “I would like to thank all the public and voluntary sector organisations who have come together to call in a unified voice for this decision to be reconsidered. We are disappointed that the UK Government did not engage with the Scottish Government on the change to employers National Insurance Contributions and we are concerned about the additional pressure it places on all employers. The Scottish Budget is expected to pass within weeks, and alongside local authorities, we need clarity.
“We will continue to press the UK Government to raise our deep concern about the implications of the increase to employer National Insurance contributions for organisations across Scotland, and the risk to the vital services they provide if these additional costs are not fully funded.”
