THE majority of people in Bradford are against the 1.25 per cent increase in National Insurance which is being enforced by Boris Johnson to fund adult social care.

The Prime Minister announced today the rise in NI contributions to raise £10 billion to address the crisis in social care, but has proved unpopular with opposition parties, many of his own MPs and much of the public.

Boris Johnson promised almost two years ago he would fix adult social care, which seems one in seven facing bills of more than £100,000 for their care.

But the increase to National Insurance has broken a promise made by Johnson and the Conservatives in their 2019 manifesto, when they pledged National Insurance would not be increased to pay for social care.

When questioned by Labour on this broken promise and tax hike on working people, Chancellor Rishi Sunak had no answer, and was told his previous promise to cut NI for the lowest paid was “in flames”, and the hike was “manifesto-breaking, economically damaging and unfair tax on jobs”.

The majority of people in Bradford agree with Labour in opposing the planned hike, with 71 per cent of readers saying they aren’t happy to pay more tax to pay for social care.

The majority of the T&A’s Facebook followers agreed.

Many pointed out increasing taxes on businesses – particularly multi-national firms – or on the wealthiest workers would be fairer.

Asim Rashid said: “Ask the rich friends of the government including big corporations who hardly pay any tax to contribute more.”

Referencing Johnson’s Brexit bus, Steven Spencer said: “What ever happened to that £350 million a week saved on the side of a bus?

“Must be in the billions by now... That should pay for NHS social care.”

Adele Boocock added: “Nope! Government needs to look at other means to cover the costs in a mess that they have created, and it’s always the taxpayer that has to pick up the bill for their incompetence.”

Lucy Marvellous-Foibles said: “No. It would hit lower earners the hardest. Increase income tax at the top threshold or create a new higher band. It would make far less difference to those individuals than it would to lower earners.

“And whilst we are at it, raise the £50k threshold to £75k and force large corporations to stop dodging tax with their fudged offshore arrangements.”

Yvonne Fletcher Conner said: “The money should be raised by taxing the big corporations that are paying very minimal taxes, like Amazon and Starbucks.”

Some pointed at money wasted on Track and Trace as money that should have been put towards social care.

Sue Wright said: “The failure known as Test Track and Trace cost 37 billion, handed over to their mates. Now the working people are being asked to dig in for NI. Corrupt Govt.”

Other popular suggestions included pay freezes or cuts for MPs, reductions to their expenses allowances, abolishing the House of Lords, and a handful moaned about overseas aid.

Many also pointed out that social care is included in council tax and questioned why more money had to be raised by central Government.

Some said they would be happy to pay more, but other means of raising money should have been used first.

John Roper said: “Happy to pay but it should be raised another way. Income tax or VAT would spread the burden more evenly.

“What about taxing multi nationals fairly rather than allowing them to get away with paying a pittance by exploiting loopholes in the system? Just a thought.”

David Harper agreed, adding: “I don't mind paying the taxes I'm due to pay. What REALLY riles me is the amount of tax avoided by hyper-rich and corporations.”

However, gushing praise for the Prime Minister and his Government’s decision was nowhere to be seen among readers.

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