Pledge to tackle waiting lists

The Prime Minister has set out plans to tackle the COVID backlogs, reform adult social care, and bring the health and social care system closer together on a long term, sustainable footing. £36 billion will be invested in the health and care system over the next three years, with the aim of ensuring it has the long-term resource it needs.

Social care will be reformed, ending “unpredictable and catastrophic care costs” faced by thousands, and making the system “fairer for all”, according to the Government. From April 2022, a new, UK-wide 1.25% Health and Social Care Levy will be introduced, ring-fenced for health and social care. This will be based on National Insurance contributions (NICs) and from 2023 will be legislatively separate.

All working adults, including those over the state pension age, will pay the levy and the rates of dividend tax will also increase by 1.25% to help fund this package. Every individual will contribute according to their means. Those who earn more pay more, with the highest earning 14% of people paying around half the revenues. Employers will be asked to contribute so the costs are more widely shared. This will raise around £12 billion in extra funding per year, to be invested in frontline health and social care across the UK over the next three years