Boris Johnson information newest: PM defends tax hike as nationwide insurance coverage rise comes into pressure

Prime minister Boris Johnson defended the choice to hike the nationwide insurance coverage as “needed, honest and accountable” forward of its implementation on Wednesday. The nationwide insurance coverage contributions will enhance by 1.25 proportion factors.

The federal government predicts that the tax rise will elevate £39bn over the subsequent three years to assist scale back the Covid-induced NHS backlog and later reform grownup social look after the long-term.

“The levy is the mandatory, honest and accountable subsequent step, offering our well being and care system with the long run funding it wants as we get better from the pandemic,” Mr Johnson mentioned.

Well being secretary Sajid Javid mentioned the “funding will go into tackling these backlogs and can assist be certain everybody can get the care and therapy they want”.

In the meantime, the prime minister, talking in Russian has appealed to the nation to study the reality about Vladimir Putin’s struggle crimes in Ukraine.

In a video message to Russians, he highlighted the alleged bloodbath within the city of Bucha and mentioned they solely wanted a VPN connection to achieve entry to unbiased data.