Business owners on the island have hit out at government’s proposals to introduce registration fees and annual fees to remain registered.
The new Regulation of Health and Social Care Bill, which is at consultation phase, would introduce a sliding fee scale for new service providers to register, and annual fees to remain registered.
According to the consultation on the Bill, registration fees could range from £1,060 to £1,270, whilst annual fees range from £320 to £635.
The sectors most affected by governments proposals are complementary therapy, nurseries, domiciliary care, aesthetics and beauty.
Potential Fees
Government says this approach “aims to make the fee structure more equitable, helping to reduce the financial burden on smaller service providers while ensuring that larger providers contribute proportionately”.
It says that “regulation fees are essential to support the DHSC Registration and Inspection Team to ensure safe, high-quality health and social care services across the island.
“Collecting fees proportionate to a service provider size and activity, ensures the cost of regulation is fairly distributed, service providers are accountable for the quality of care being delivered and the system remains financially sustainable and responsive to growth.”
‘It’s hard enough’
Business owners have collectively said “it is hard enough already for us all to survive in the current economic environment, this will sadly, quite literally be the last straw for many”.
The Manx government proposals are six to ten times higher than in the UK. For example:
- Manchester City Council: £175 one-off registration;
- Leeds City Council: £120 one-off, no annual fee;
- Liverpool City Council: £150 one-off, no annual fee;
- Birmingham City Council: £165 one-off, no annual fee.
Many of the practitioners that this would affect are already members of professional bodies, which often requires exams to join, CPD checks, strict code of conduct, as well as insurance.
Equality Issue?
Business have also highlighted that the sectors most affected by the new regulations are predominantly female-led businesses.
They say “these high fees risk creating indirect discrimination against women in business, which must be taken seriously under equality law”.
Owners of these businesses are asking government to scrap or significantly reduce the proposed fees, and have if fees are to be imposed that they align with UK models.
To find out more and fill in the consultation click here.
