Boris Johnson defends tax hike as national insurance rise comes into force

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “The levy is the necessary, fair and responsible next step, providing our health and care system with the long term funding it needs as we recover from the pandemic.” open image in gallery The new national insurance increases will go ahead in despite rising inflation and the cost of living squeeze The Conservative Party 2019 election manifesto, which helped Mr Johnson deliver a landslide majority, pledged “not to raise the rates of income tax, national insurance or VAT”. Health secretary Sajid Javid said the pandemic had placed “unprecedented pressure on the NHS” and pushed up waiting times. open image in gallery Health secretary Sajid Javid said the NI hike will ensure the NHS can ‘tackle the big challenges’ Mr Javid added: “We can’t have business as usual, which is why we are rolling out surgical hubs and community diagnostic centres up and down the country to deliver millions more scans, checks and operations. “This vital funding will ensure the NHS is equipped to not only reduce waiting times but also tackle the big challenges we face, from cancer to heart-disease and dementia.” Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the government would “not shy away from the difficult decisions” ministers need to take to “fix our social care system and slash NHS waiting times”.