Public back Boris over tax rise to fund social care

BORIS Johnson’s proposed tax rise to pay for social care and deal with the NHS backlog has the support of the public, polling shows.

A survey of 1,500 people found 44 per cent supported the 1.25 per cent increase in National Insurance contributions, compared to 31 per cent who opposed the measure.

Nearly four in 10 – 37 per cent – believe that Rishi Sunak should balance the books with tax increases, while 28 per cent think he should rely on spending cuts and 17 per cent think he should borrow money.

The poll, by Redfield & Wilton Strategies, found that Covid was a greater concern than the economy (41 per cent to 32 per cent).

Climate change was third, with 19 per cent saying it was the issue they were most concerned about.

However, the planned NI levy has met resistance from campaigners for the elderly.

Pressure group Silvervoices said it was more of an “NHS bailout plan” and said the care sector will hardly benefit from the £36billion raised before October 2023.

It will only receive £5.6billion when at least £10billion is needed to tackle unmet social care needs, said Silver Voices director Dennis Reed.

He said the Chancellor has an opportunity on Wednesday to consider a U-turn.

“The social care plan is a cruel deception as it does not solve the social care crisis in any way.

“An unpopular tax is being introduced on the back of social care, even though there will be no direct benefit to social care for at least two years. Even then it will be significantly underfunded, and will only tackle small elements of the crisis.”

Mr Reed urged charities and councils to reject the levy and campaign for a replacement to deal with the issue.