Boris Johnson has outlined plans to increase National Insurance contributions to raise £36bn for health and social care.
In a press conference today (September 7) the Prime Minister outlined his plans for the "biggest catchup programme in the history of the NHS" adding that the pandemic proved that the NHS could not be improved without a better social care system.
Under his plans, National Insurance contributions will increase by 1.25% but these additional funds will be only be allowed to be spent on health and social care.
Mr Johnson said: "For more than 70 years we have lived by the principle that everyone pays, through their taxes, for the NHS so it is there for all of us when we need it.
"In that spirit from, April we will have a new UK wide 1.25% health and social care levy on earned income, with the money required by law to go directly to health and social care across the UK and with dividend rates increasing by the same amount.
"This will raise almost £36bn over the next three years, not just funding more care but better care, including better screening equipment to diagnose cancer earlier and digital technology to allow doctors to monitor patients in their homes."
The increase in National Insurance contributions means that those earning £20,000 a year will pay an additional £130. Those earning £30,000 will pay £255, those on £50,000 will pay an extra £505, and those on £80,000 will see their contributions increase to £880 a year.
Mr Johnson added that the new levy was needed as it would not be fair to pay for a permanent improvement to health and social care by "cheese pairing budgets elsewhere".
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