NHS

Millions of employees and businesses across the UK will start paying higher National Insurance contributions from Wednesday as part of a plan to raise billions for the NHS and social care.

The UK government has sought to dismiss claims that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is “wobbling” over increasing National Insurance, insisting that Number 10 remains fully committed to introducing the tax rise this spring.

Former Conservative Cabinet minister David Davis has urged the UK government to abandon plans to increase national insurance contributions as the cost-of-living crisis looms.

Next week, Boris Johnson is expected to announce a manifesto-breaking tax increase to cover the cost of the biggest overhaul in social care in a generation and improve NHS waiting lists.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak also announced plans to raise the minimum wage and a pay freeze for public sector workers.