SCVO welcomes House of Lords support for charity exemptions to National Insurance Contributions rises

Following a debate on the National Insurance Contributions Bill in the House of Lords on Tuesday, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Chief Executive, Anna Fowlie said: “The Treasury decision to increase employer National Insurance Contributions will cost medium and large voluntary organisations in Scotland at least £75million each year. Some organisations face additional costs of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

"This week Peers in the House of Lords recognised the impact of these additional costs on voluntary organisations, both across Scotland and the rest of the UK, and the essential services and support our sector provides. SCVO welcomes this recognition and support.

"Peers have heard from, and crucially, listened to, organisations across the voluntary sector about the pressures they face and how these will be exacerbated by increased National Insurance costs, ultimately impacting the people and communities our sector supports.

"We encourage the Chancellor to reflect on the case made by Peers, and indeed, voluntary organisations, on the impact of these cost increases for a voluntary sector that has been under pressure for many years. Our sector continues to wrestle with the challenges of the cost of living crisis: rising costs and growing demand while voluntary sector incomes stagnate. 

"It is imperative that the Chancellor engages with the growing evidence of the impact of these additional costs on the voluntary sector, our staff, volunteers, and the essential services and support our sector provides people and communities, all of which are essential building blocks to the economic growth the chancellor is striving to achieve.

"I thank Peers for their support and engagement on this issue and encourage a similar level of engagement when this Bill returns to the House of Commons.”