The timing is stark. Amid mounting fears that the £36 billion healthcare tax rise will not be spent prudently, it has emerged that the NHS is hiring an army of 42 new executives on salaries of up to £270,000 each.
More than £9 million will be spent employing dozens of chief executives of new integrated care boards, each of whom will earn more than the Prime Minister.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid promised he would be "watchful for any waste" of the £12 billion a year funds raised by a 1.25 percentage point increase in National Insurance, but has yet to fully explain how the money will be spent.
Use our calculator to see how much more you will pay after MPs approve the tax rise last night.
Associate Editor Gordon Rayner reports that senior Tories said they were "appalled" by the decision to hire the executives on "mega salaries".
The criticism came as Boris Johnson faced a grassroots backlash over the tax rise. After a handful of Tories stood up to oppose the tax rise that has split the party in a five-hour Commons debate, one ex-minister said the party is "going to have to rediscover what it stands for".
Allister Heath argues in his hard-hitting column that real Tories will never forgive Mr Johnson for turning his party into "Blue Labour".
And Camilla Tominey examines the implications for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Migrant boats face 'pushback' tactics in Channel
Priti Patel has sanctioned the use of "pushback" tactics to intercept and turn round migrant boats in the Channel to prevent them reaching Britain. The Home Secretary has secured legal advice for Border Force vessels to start redirecting boats away from British waters towards France, where the French will have to take them to shore. Home Affairs Editor Charles Hymas explains that the move puts her on a collision course with the French, who have consistently refused to intercept or turn back migrant boats and instead escorted them to British waters.
How to brew the perfect tea, according to science
Tea remains our national drink, but few subjects are more divisive than the correct way to make the perfect cuppa. Should you add milk first or last... add sugar or not... and how long should you let it brew? There are so many questions. Luckily, scientists now think they have cracked the code for the perfect method - and it includes a controversial addition.
Daily dose of Matt
- Today's cartoon | View Matt's latest cartoon as he takes a wry look at how the health tax rise.
Also in the news: Today's other headlines
Covid | Giving booster jabs too soon could leave the vulnerable unprotected when they need it most, a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has warned, as a decision on the rollout is expected this week. The JCVI is expected to meet today to discuss the findings of the Cov-Boost study, which trialled the use of seven Covid vaccines as a third dose. Read what to expect next.
- Royals | Prince Andrew shakes off US lawyers at Balmoral
- Climate talks | China emissions put summit at risk of 'failure'
- Dementia | Living next to busy roads may increase risk
- Energy | Britain forced to ask France to cut electricity exports
- Tech blunder | Council accidentally approves demolition of pubs
Around the world: One man's trash…
The biggest tip in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi sustains both marabou storks and pickers looking for recyclable material to make a living. For more powerful pictures of the day, view our world gallery.
Comment and analysis
- Michael Deacon | Only privilege BBC needs to check is its own
- Madeline Grant | Labour's big guns prove to be all noise
- Annabel Denham | There is now no low-tax party in Britain
- Reader letters | Tax rise offers no guaranteed outcome
- Ben Marlow | Cosying up to new Axis of Evil will end in tears
Editor's choice
- 'Superhuman immunity' | What is it, who has it - and how do you get it?
- 'People see me as a victim' | How children of anti-vaxxers fight the jab divide
- William Sitwell | 10 ways to navigate the horror of a post-Covid dinner party
Sport briefing: Raducanu marches on at US Open
Emma Raducanu stormed into the semi-finals of the US Open last night with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Switzerland's Belinda Bencic, who just a month ago became Olympic champion. The 18-year-old Briton is yet to drop a set in the tournament. Tennis Correspondent Simon Briggs identifies the tactics that undermine opponents mentally and physically. There was no such jubilation for England footballers after a last-minute equaliser by Poland cost them points in their World Cup qualifier.
Business briefing: M&S resurrects St Michael brand
Marks & Spencer is reviving the St Michael brand after a 21-year absence, as vintage clothes find a new audience in younger generations. The retailer intends to start selling menswear later this year using the label first launched in 1928. Since scrapping the collection in 2000, items have proved popular among shoppers on online vintage clothes stores.
Tonight's dinner
Lemon, parmesan, chilli and basil linguine | This is one of the simplest pasta dishes and really sparkles when the very best lemons are to hand. View the recipe and try our Cookbook newsletter.
Your daily travel inspiration
Race to the next staycation | With doubts over when holidays will return to normal and fears of leaving it too late, many people are already booking self-catering holidays for next year. Emma Beaumont picks five fabulous lets with availability for a 2022 staycation.
And finally... for this morning's downtime
'Backwards eating' | Polish footballer Robert Lewandowski has revealed a quirky way to stay trim: starting dinner with dessert. But the superstar striker's methods do not have universal approval. Alice Hall asks: Can it really make you slimmer and healthier?
If you want to receive twice-daily briefings like this by email, sign up to the Front Page newsletter here. For two-minute audio updates, try The Briefing - on podcasts, smart speakers and WhatsApp.
