BREAKING! National Insurance hike confirmed – Britons including pensione...

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said there was "strong agreement" from ministers, despite a number understood to be uneasy about breaking the manifesto pledge. The official said: "The Cabinet agreed to the proposals set out. "There was strong agreement that this is a long-standing issue, particularly on the social care side, which had been ducked for too long and which needed to be addressed." Under the plans, from October 2023, anyone with assets under £20,000 will have their care costs fully covered by the state, while those with between £20,000 and £100,000 will be expected to contribute to their costs but will also receive state support. No one will have to pay more than £86,000 for care costs in their lifetime. In addition to the health and social care levy, there will also be a 1.25 percent increase in the dividend tax - to ensure those who receive their income from shares also contribute. It will be paid by all working adults, including those over the state pension age - unlike other National Insurance contributions. Sir Keir Starmer attacked the plan in the Commons, accusing Mr Johnson of using the pandemic as an excuse to raise taxes. The Labour leader said: "He is putting a sticking plaster over gaping wounds which his party inflicted. "He made that commitment on social care before the pandemic and he said he would pay for it without raising taxes before the pandemic."

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