‘Tax rise would help ailing services’

A RISE in income tax could help pay for health and social care, Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price told the party’s conference.

Shadow Economy Secretary Mr Price, pictured, said the party will explore a health and social care levy of a 1p increase in basic income tax.

Wales could be allowed to vary income tax rates for the first time in 2019.

Mr Price said: “Given the state of under-investment in our core public services, we are increasingly coming to the view that bringing health and education in Wales up will require sustained new and increased investment. We want to ask the Welsh people whether we should take the decision to invest more today to create the better tomorrow that we all want to see.

“A pot dedicated for health and social care could fund the integration of health and social care.”

The party will also look at introducing a similar measure for schools.

Mr Price said: “The need for increased investment in social care is particularly crucial, given the cut in local authority budgets over recent years. Plaid Cymru will be the first political party in Wales to actively consider increasing income tax to transform public services. We want to kick-start a mature debate.”

The move is part of a wide-ranging consultation on the use of new tax powers for Welsh Government.

Mr Price added that even without a change in tax rates, devolved tax powers would mean Welsh Government public spending would become more accountable.

The milestone income tax agreement between the Welsh and UK governments in 2016 announced that Wales will take control of 10p in each income tax band collected within its borders.