Boris Johnson says he WILL hike National Insurance to ‘put money into NHS’ – here’s how it will hit you in the pocket
BORIS Johnson has said he WILL press on with hated tax hikes despite mounting Tory opposition.
The PM today insisted the 1.25 per cent National Insurance rise is needed to "put that money into the NHS".
Brits are braced for a spring bombshell as taxes, energy costs and everyday prices are set to soar because of pandemic pressures.
Despite calls to delay the hike, Mr Johnson stood firm today: "The NHS has done an amazing job but it has been under terrible strain.
"Listen to what I'm saying: We've got to put that money in. We've got to make that investment in our NHS.
"What I'm telling people is, if you want to fund our fantastic NHS, we have to pay for it - and this Government is determined to do so."
The NI hike will add £130 a year to tax bill of Brits on a £20,000 salary, and £255 for those who earn £30,000.
People on £50,000 will pay £505 extra annually, those on £80,000 will have to fork out £880 and earners on £100,000 face a £1,130 bill.
A minister claimed today the entire Cabinet were hoping that Chancellor Rishi Sunak will delay or scrap the plan.
Most read in News
One Cabinet minister told : “If the Chancellor proposed to the Cabinet that he wanted to cancel the national insurance contributions rise, there would be no objection to it.
“There would be no objection from the Prime Minister either because this is very much a Treasury policy.”
They added: “It is the wrong time to be raising taxes.
“We need to have a clear recovery from Covid before we start working out what we want to do about the fiscal balance. The ball is very firmly in the Chancellor's court.”
🔵 Read our UK politics live blog for the latest news and updates
The national insurance hike will raise £12billion to £13billion a year for the Treasury.
It was supposed to help fund health and social care - however most of the money will go toward clearing the post-Covid NHS backlog.
Another Government source said: “This Government is determined to reform social care, something that had been dodged for too long.
“The NHS and social care levy is vital to achieving this and ensuring the NHS gets the funding it needs to clear the backlogs caused by the pandemic.”
'SHELVE THE RISE'
Last week one Tory MP told The Sun: “If he is going to stay, Boris needs a big reset and return to the issues which affect ordinary working people.
“He should shelve the rise, at least for this year.”
Ex-Cabinet minister John Redwood added: “It would help Boris massively to show he was thinking about the voters — and is in touch with people frightened about paying their energy bills.”
It comes as Downing Street gate-keepers could decide Boris Johnson’s fate in the probe over lockdown-busting parties at No 10.
Whitehall ethics chief Sue Gray has demanded the entry and exit logs as part of her inquiry into drinking culture behind the famous black door.
Her team will examine the computerised comings and goings at the two main security gates at either end of Downing Street.
The move will heighten fears among senior staff, whose jobs are on the line if they are found to be in breach of Covid rules.
A Government spokesman said last night: “We've taken decisive and historic action, with our health and social care levy due to raise around £13billion a year.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“This will benefit people up and down the country.”
