Public ‘will reward difficult decisions taken on social care’
VOTERS will “reward” the Government for grasping the thorny issue of social care despite a dip in Tory popularity, a Cabinet minister insisted.
Polling found Labour edged into the lead for the first time since January after the divisive £12billion tax plan to fund reform of the crumbling system.
But Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the plans would “protect the long-term national interest” and stop future generations being burdened by borrowing.
He said: “When you come to the next general election, which is some time away, people will weigh that up.
“Because we have put the extra money into the NHS we have avoided a crisis in the NHS.
“We have increased capacity in the NHS and we have finally, after many governments previously ducked this challenge of social care – I remember 10, 15 years ago we were talking about this – finally, the Prime Minister has actually done something about this.
“I think, in the end, the electorate rewards governments willing to take difficult decisions to protect the long-term national interest, and that is what that decision is all about.”
The Government plans to increase National Insurance contributions by 1.25 per cent to clear the Covid
backlog and reform social care.
In the 2022 to 2023 tax year, someone earning an average basic rate income of £24,100 could pay an additional £180, according to Government data.
Those on an average higher rate taxpayers’ income of £67,100 would pay £715 more.
A YouGov poll found the Tories fell by five points to 33 per cent with Labour leading on 35 per cent.
Mr Dowden added: “Of course I hate putting up taxes, any Conservative hates putting up taxes.
“But I think that is the right thing to do in the long-term national interests and I think that people will ultimately recognise that.”