The Prime Minister was pressed on rising national insurance contributions. 

The Prime Minister has refused to confirm whether hospices and other organisations will be protected from rising national insurance (NI) costs. 

Care providers - including those offering end of life care - have warned they could be forced to close if Sir Keir Starmer goes ahead with plans to increase NI contributions from employers. 

Mr Starmer said his Health Secretary would outline funding arrangements later in 2024, with current proposals suggesting private operators and charities will have to cover the costs an additional 1.2% on NI contributions. 

The Labour leader was twice asked about exemptions, but refused to answer. 

The Prime Minister told the i newspaper: “What the Health Secretary has said is that he’s going to set out funding arrangements later this year in relation to NHS contractors so he will do that.

“Obviously we had to take tough decisions in the Budget in order to stabilise the economy. We did that by making sure we didn’t hurt the pay packet of working people, so they don’t see that in their pay packet at the end of the month.

 “Funding arrangements will be set out at the end of the year.”