The Papworth Trust supports disabled and older people with their care, leisure and learning needs and helps them find employment and training.

It also offers services in Abington in Northamptonshire, Basildon in Essex, Cambridge and Ipswich.

The organization welcomed the Government’s announcement to invest in local councils, special educational needs, disability services and housing.

But by April 2025 it will have to pay an extra £235,000 for network cards for its 238 employees.

In the last financial year, the trust’s income was around £15m, so the extra money represents just under 2% of its budget.

Managing director Sarah Miller said the NIC increase could affect her team’s ability to help businesses recruit and retain disabled employees.

It could also have an impact on the charity’s shop, where disabled people can learn how to refurbish and sell bikes.

“Charities continue to be strained and this is another pressure.”

The trust said it hoped no one would be left unemployed and would look at how it could operate more efficiently.