National Insurance Tax Hike

It should be the people who can afford it the most who fund our NHS and social care services. This punishing and regressive 10% tax hike will instead disproportionately hit young people, low earners and carers who are already struggling from the pandemic.

There is no evidence that this broken promise will even fix the chronic problems in our social care system as money raised would mostly be absorbed by the NHS. No increase in the carer's allowance will mean that carers earn LESS despite unprecedented staffing shortages. Carers still aren't allowed proper breaks and these 'plans' do nothing for millions of unpaid carers. With this broken promise, the Tories are letting down millions of workers, and in particular those who care for a loved one.

Liberal Democrats want to see cross-party talks on how to fund social care in a fair and sustainable way, along with urgent action to fix the staffing crisis in care homes and give unpaid carers the recognition they deserve.