AYR MSP Siobhian Brown has warned that 20 GP surgeries in South Ayrshire are at risk.

The warning comes after the UK Government's decision to increase employers' national insurance contributions.

The politician has urged the government to reconsider the tax hike, stating that it will put added pressure on the finances and services of local organisations, including GP surgeries, charities, and care providers.

The British Medical Association has warned that some GP surgeries may have to close if they are not exempted from the national insurance rise.

Siobhian Brown said: "The UK Government's hike to employer national insurance contributions is extremely concerning – I am deeply worried about the negative impact this will have on the operations of GPs, charities, care providers and hospices.

"In South Ayrshire, we currently have 20 GP practices performing a vital role in our community – any tax hike from the UK Government which impacts on their services would be totally unacceptable."

“As MSP for Ayr, Prestwick & Troon, I am demanding that the UK government urgently reconsiders and excludes charities, GP surgeries, care providers and hospices from this tax rise.

"These organisations support so many people across my constituency, we should be supporting them as much as possible, not increasing their tax burden.”

Scotland has 911 GP surgeries nationwide, all of which play a 'vital' role in front-line healthcare.

A UK Government spokesperson said: “Taking the necessary choices to fix the foundations of the economy at the Budget meant we could deliver a £26 billion extra investment in health and social care.

“The employer national insurance rise doesn’t kick in until April, and we will set out further details on allocation of GP funding for next year in due course.

“We are also determined to tackle the significant challenges in social care and build a National Care Service so everybody can access the high-quality care they deserve.”