Plans by the government to raise national insurance to pay for long-term social care reform have been thrown into further doubt after a senior minister appeared to rule it out.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told Sky News that a reported hike in national insurance would be off the cards when the government brings forward proposals later this year.
“That’s what it says in the manifesto, I don’t see how we could increase national insurance,” he said.
Kwarteng said he believes a social care plan will come “by the autumn”, adding “I don’t think we’ll put up national insurance in that specific [announcement].”
According to the Times, Prime Minister Boris Johnson had been due to announce plans to increase payments by one per cent – for both employers and employees – to raise around £10 billion a year.
Johnson is said to have agreed the approach in principle with Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
An announcement – originally expected this week - is now expected in the autumn due to Johnson and Sunak self-isolating following close contact with Javid, who tested positive for Covid.
