THE British Chambers of Commerce has attacked plans to charge firms for the cost to the NHS of nursing victims of accidents at work.

The House of Lords is debating the Health and Social Care Bill, which contains proposals for the change.

Manufacturers are expected to be worst hit if the legislation is pushed through, as the sector represents the highest proportion of work-related accidents.

David Frost, BCC director general, said: "The UK economy is in a fragile state at the moment, especially for manufacturers. They are the ones most at risk from soaring insurance costs.

"Adding to that burden will simply force more jobs overseas.

"The Government should be supporting our manufacturers, not driving another nail in their coffin."

A stay of execution was handed down by Small Business Minister Nigel Griffiths, who said that the recovery of NHS costs from businesses would not be implemented until the business insurance market had improved.

But Mr Frost added: "As our members keep telling us, the insurance burden and large rises in premiums are still a major problem and so these moves are as premature now as they would be wrong in the future."