The Brain Charity has launched a fundraising appeal to cover its estimated £35,000 increase in costs per year due to the impending rise in employer national insurance contributions (NICs).
The Liverpool-based charity, which supports people with neurological conditions, launched its “national insurance appeal” this week to “safeguard” its services as the tax is set to rise to 15% for employers next week.
First announced last October in the chancellor’s autumn budget, the NICs rise is estimated to cost charities overall around £1.4bn extra per year.
Several attempts from charities and the House of Lords to seek exemptions for the sector from the increase have since failed.
‘Direct pressure’ on charity from NICs rise
The Brain Charity, whose most recently recorded an annual income of £1.8m, said its estimated additional £35,000 in costs will place strain on its resources and potentially divert funds away from the “front-line support” it provides.
Pippa Sargent, the charity’s CEO, said: “This £35,000 increase represents a direct pressure on our ability to deliver our life-changing services.
“To put it into perspective, that sum could fund a full year of free counselling for over 200 individuals. It could also provide nearly 900 hours of vital welfare benefits support.
“It could also help 35 people per week access crucial support through our Information & Advice service, or fund more than 1,000 counselling sessions for carers who are struggling.
“This is the real impact of these increased costs, and why we are launching this appeal.”
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