Health Minister Sajid Javid has denied delays in the NHS’s April tax incentives, despite growing calls to delay the controversial rise tonight.
Javid argued that raising national insurance (depriving families of an average of £ 600 a year) was “not threatened.”
He reiterated his support for an increase that would bring an additional £ 12 billion for the NHS and social care.
Javid told the Commons Health Insurance Commission that additional funding is “important” to help hospitals clear the spiked waiting list to record record highs thanks to Covid. Said.
The government is being asked to reconsider the proposed 1.25% increase. This is scheduled for April when households face the worst of energy bills, council taxes and inflation.
A series of senior Tory lawmakers, business leaders and economists want to abandon Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plans.
Sir Frost, the former Brexit chief, joined the debate yesterday, insisting that the government “did not need it” and should abandon the plan.
Health Minister Sajid Javid (pictured today at the Commons Health and Social Care Commission) said the April tax hike was “safe.”
According to data released by NHS England, 5.98 million people were waiting for routine surgery in October, up from 5.83 million last month.
At a committee hearing today, Chairman and former Tory Party leader Jeremy Hunt asked Javid if he would support the tax increase.
He replied:
“It is very important to secure long-term funding for the NHS and social care. Taxation is about its long-term financing.
He was also asked if the April tax hike was “threatening.” However, the Minister of Health denied that possibility and said the additional cash was “safe.”
With the increase in national insurance announced last fall, the Treasury will raise £ 12 to £ 13 billion annually.
This was aimed at funding health and social care, but most of the funding for the first three years will go to clearing the NHS backlog after Covid.
With the increase in national insurance, workers’ salaries will be around £ 255 a year and £ 505 when salaries reach £ 50,000.
There is growing opposition to the Tories’ backbench taxation, and former Prime Minister Brexit said no tax incentives were needed.
Concerned about the direction of Mr Johnson’s administration, his resignation last year said it was imperative to abolish the increase in the face of a crisis in living costs.
“The April tax hike was never necessary or justified,” Sir Frost added.
“Given the new pressure on energy prices and inflation, it is now even more important to abolish these tax increases and focus on re-growing the economy. Allowing people to save more of their money. Is always the best way. ”
While attending the committee, Mr. Havid also set out a government plan to “live with” the virus.
He said treatments and tests such as vaccines and antivirals would be “top of the list” for this spring’s plans.
“We have to find a way to live with it (Covid) as well, for example, we live with the flu,” he said.
“I’m not saying it’s like the flu. Sadly, look at all the deaths from Covid. It’s over 150,000 from the beginning.
“Understand that there are new defenses in place. Don’t let Covid do it, just as something like the flu doesn’t stop society or stop life. . “
Javid said it is important for the GP to return to normal after millions of patients struggle to make appointments during a pandemic.
An important health checkup for vulnerable elderly patients was suspended until April to give the GP more time to offer an enhanced booster program.
Javid said:
“In the future, we need to take advantage of the National Health Service, which can process Covid and other vaccines without drawing labor from other NHSs.”
Javid also revealed that mandatory Covid vaccination rules for NHS staff remain “under review.”
He said Jab was made an employment requirement for patient safety. However, this decision was made when Delta was the predominant mutant strain, not Omicron as it is today.
Javid said people “expressed” to him that Omicron would change the game.
He states:
‘Because Omicron is different from Delta. Similarly, I don’t know what the next variant will be. I talked a little about that before. But we are pondering all of this. “
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