No 10 has sought to dismiss reports that Boris Johnson is “wobbling” over increasing National Insurance, saying the Government is “fully committed” to introducing the tax rise in the spring. The spokesman said: “The Prime Minister and Chancellor are fully committed to introducing the health and social care levy in April. He said the rise, and subsequent introduction of the health and social care levy from 2023, will provide £36 billion over three years to fund the NHS and social care. Former minister Robert Halfon said the Government should look at different ways to support struggling families, including possibly cutting overseas aid, rather than ploughing ahead with the National Insurance rise. In the 2019 Tory election manifesto, the party had ruled out increasing National Insurance if returned to power.

Source: The Times January 28, 2022 23:16 UTC