Heather Jameson 03 September 2021

Government set to hike NI to pay for care and health

Government set to hike NI to pay for care and health image

Government is set to plough ahead with plans to raise national insurance to fund health and social, with an announcement expected next week.

The planned hike, originally aimed at addressing the urgent funding needs of social care, now looks set to be swallowed up by the NHS amid growing costs of the pandemic and a backlog in non-emergency procedures.

Health secretary Sajid Javid is reportedly pushing for a 2% rise in national insurance, claiming a 1% rise – which would raise £10bn – would not be enough to cover both health and social care.

Yesterday, the NHS Confederation and NHS Providers warned services would suffer without an 8% increase in funds – or around £10bn. They claimed COVID costs, including treatment, infection control and staff absences, would add £4.6bn to costs next year, while backlogs were set to cost up to £4.5bn.

Chief executive of the NHS Confederation, Matthew Taylor, said: ‘NHS frontline funding for 2022/23 needs to rise by around £10bn in addition to capital, social care and central government COVID-19 costs.’

Without a significant cash injection, social care experts fear the NHS costs could swallow up desperately needed fund to resolve growing issues of care. The government is also keen to introduce a care cap, thought to be £50,000.

A government spokesman said: ‘We are committed to bringing forward a long-term plan to reform the social care system and we will set out proposals this year.’

For more on this story visit The MJ (£).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay Award Pending)
Do you want to work in an ambitious Local Authority with strong leadership and partnership commitment to Children’s Services? Durham County Council a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SENDIASS Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen within the busy and fast paced SEND Information, Advice, Support Service (SENDIASS). The service has Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650- £33,483
Class Teacher MPS 1 -2   £31,650- £33,483 Temporary – required from Monday 1st September 2025 (subject to DBS) until 31st August 2026 25 hours per wee Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner