A Sandbach Cheshire East councillor has written to her local MP, Sarah Russell, asking for parity between the NHS and hospices following the recent Budget. 

Councillor Nicola Cook, who represents Elworth on Cheshire East Council says she's worried about national insurance contributions for hospices. 

The councillor estimates that St Luke's Hospice, which looks after patients from a wide area including Sandbach, Holmes Chapel and Alsager. 

Cllr Cook, who volunteers at St Luke's Hospice shop in Sandbach, estimates it will cost an extra £44,000 to run St Luke's, charity she knows personally having helped her own family.   

She said: "I welcome the increased funding for the NHS, a funding increase which is to be achieved by increasing employer's national insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15%. 

"As part of this announcement it is my understanding that the NHS will be exempt from this increase. hospices will not. 

 "I am writing this email both as a Cheshire East Councillor and Sandbach Town Councillor for the Elworth Ward, as well as a resident of Sandbach." 

 Cllr Cook says in her email to Sarah Russell MP: "It is clear that we live in unprecedented financial times, and the Labour Government clearly are attempting to manage a financial legacy which would be a challenge for any Government.  

"Difficult decisions inevitably needed to be made this week, as the Chancellor announced the first Labour budget in 14 years.  

"This first budget was an opportunity to focus on the priorities for the new Government, and I welcomed the increased funding for the NHS, a funding increase which is to be achieved by increasing employer's national insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15%. 

Cllr cook has written to local MP, Sarah Russell, to look at national insurance contriutions for hospices. (Photo: Sarah Russell)

"As part of this announcement it is my understanding that the NHS will be exempt from this increase. Hospices will not. 

"Within the Congleton Constituency we have a much-loved Hospice – St Luke's Hospice in Winsford,, which whilst based in Winsford provides hospice care to residents of Sandbach, Holmes Chapel and Alsager.  

"This Hospice provides support to individuals and families at the darkest of times. It is often a light in a dark tunnel of grief.  

"It enables individuals to receive the dignity and support they deserve as they live with a life limiting illness, provides support so that people can die in the place of their choice, and enables families to be supported at a time which can be extraordinarily painful.  

"Hospices hold families and communities together, and their care and support should never be under-estimated. St Luke's Hospice has provided this support to my family, and it is for this very reason that I volunteer for this wonderful organisation. 

"Following the budget announcement on Wednesday St Luke's Hospice will see an increase of 1.2% in it's National Insurance contributions.  

 "This in reality will mean that they will need to find an extra £44,000 a year. This is the equivalent funding of a Specialist Palliative Care Nurse or five days operating costs for the Hospice.  

 "This truly is an unacceptable pressure on an organisation which raises the majority of its funding from local fundraising. 

 "I am asking that you do all you can to ensure that Hospices are exempt from this increase." 

Nub News has approached Sarah Russell MP for a response.