Boris Johnson's national insurance rise has been criticised by the Liberal Democrats who say the tax hike is coming in at the "wrong moment" as Britons face a growing cost of living crisis.
Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, said the increase - which comes just days after household bills were sent soaring after the price cap was lifted- “puts all the burden on working people” which was “wrong”.
His party is calling for an emergency tax cut to help people who are “struggling so much”.
Ministers have sought to defend the rise, which is predicted to raise billions to help reduce the Covid-induced NHS backlog and later reform adult social care in the long-term.
“I think it is right that we pay for what we are going to use as a country but we do it in a fair way,” Sajid Javid, the health secretary said.
