Responding an analysis from the Liberal Democrats suggesting the Employer National Insurance Contribution uplift could put more than two million GP appointments at risk Ruth Rankine, director of primary care at the NHS Confederation, said:

“We are very worried about the impact the employer national insurance contribution uplift could have on the primary care sector if it must be paid out of GPs’ own budgets.

“We are hearing reports that some primary care providers could face eye-watering annual costs on top of already very low financial settlements. This could have dramatic impact on capacity, with practices potentially having no choice but to close or to cut back on their services as they cannot afford to keep them running.

“As it stands, there are over 200 fewer general practices open in England than there were two years ago, at time when the population continues to grow, and people have more complex healthcare needs.

“Our members welcomed the increased funding for the NHS announced in the Budget, particularly the fact that the health service was prioritised given the difficult economic context the government is operating in. We are grateful the government recognised the vital role general practice plays, including with the £100 million of capital investment and by providing additional support to recruit GPs that would otherwise be out of work.

“But while GP surgeries may operate as independently-owned partnerships they are wholly funded to provide NHS services and so they should be given the same support as NHS trusts and other public sector organisations.

“We look forward to the government officially clarifying its position to our members, who understandably are very concerned, and confirming which businesses will be protected. In the meantime we are working closely with DHSC and NHS England on mitigation.”