Boris Johnson's plan for social care will "hammer" millions of workers who are already facing a difficult winter with Covid insecurity and benefit cuts, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The Labour leader accused Johnson of "putting his rich mates and donors before working people", as he blasted plans to hike National Insurance by 1.25% while also axing the £20 a week universal credit uplift.
In a fiery House of Commons exchange, Sir Keir told the prime minister his "plan" for social care wasn't a plan at all and would still see people facing huge bills in older age.
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He said: "Under the prime minister’s plan, someone with £186,000 if you include the value of their home – that is not untypical across the country in all of your constituencies – facing large costs because they have to go into care will have to pay £86,000 under his plan. That is before living costs.
“Where does the prime minister think that they are going to get that £86,000 without selling their home?”
Sir Keir added: "His plan is to impose unfair taxes on working people, my plan is to ensure those with the broadest shoulders pay their fair share.
“The truth is his plans don’t do what he claims. People will still face huge bills, many home owners will need to sell their homes, he’s not denying it.”
Sir Keir went on to warn 2.5 million working families will face a “double whammy” of a National Insurance rise and a cut of £1,000 per year from Universal Credit, adding: “Why is the Prime Minister insisting on hammering working people?”
Mr Johnson said he was “proud” of the Government’s record throughout the pandemic, adding: “We believe in higher wages and better skills – and it is working.”
Sir Keir countered: “Higher wages and higher skills, he says – how out of touch he is.”
MPs will vote on Johnson's social care plan, which could see taxes rise from next year, tonight.
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