The Rt Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP

Secretary of State for Health

Department of Health

Richmond House, 79 Whitehall

London SW1A 2NS

Date: February 26^th 2013 

Dear Jeremy,

I write to you to express concern, on behalf of a large number of my constituents, over the prospect of the introduction of tax exemptions for private healthcare companies that provide NHS services. I share their view that it is completely unacceptable for private companies to not pay their fair share of tax, including corporation tax, and particularly on profits gained from public service contracts.

I have signed Early Day Motion 1022: ‘Tax exemptions for private healthcare providers’, which calls on the House to support Monitor’s ruling-out of exemptions from corporation tax for private healthcare providers. It also asks the Government to ensure that no measures are adopted which would introduce any tax exemptions for private healthcare providers. This EDM has already received cross-party support, as did my own EDM 2399 from the previous session, which called on the Government to take action on the poor ethical record of companies being awarded public services contracts, including the use of tax havens.

I am aware that you are due to respond to Monitor’s findings at the end of March. I trust that you will provide reassurance to my constituents that the Coalition will be following the recommendations made by the advisory body as soon as possible, and will promise not to introduce tax exemptions for private healthcare companies providing taxpayer-funded services. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Lucas MP, Brighton Pavilion

Read the Minister's response here.