Yahoo Finance The Reader: Bravo Boris for tackling social care timebomb
If the rumours are true, then I say well done Boris Johnson for being bold and having the courage to raise national insurance to pay for a social and healthcare boost. It may be breaking an election pledge — for which there will be no end of complaints from Labour — but the fact of the matter is we cannot allow the status quo to continue.
The issue of long-term health and social care was created by Labour, overlooked by Cameron, bungled by Theresa May and is finally being fixed by Boris.
Now all Boris has to do is scrap any plans for a £20 universal credit cut for some of the same very people who are already part of these social and healthcare ticking timebombs and any potential poverty it would cause can easily be averted.
Geoffrey Brooking
Dear Geoffrey,
Although I agree that social care has been overlooked, I am not convinced that a rise in national insurance is the fairest way to fund it. A national insurance hike would disproportionately target the young and the poor, and since older people are the biggest beneficiaries, it is fair they should make a contribution.
The plans are also likely to include a cap on costs designed to stop assets like property needing to be used in full to fund care fees, which means those with high-value homes could benefit the most. With the backdrop of the planned end to the £20 uplift of universal credit, it seems the Government has got its priorities all wrong.
Emma Loffhagen, Comment writer
Hungary fans were a disgrace
England’s national football team did the country proud in Budapest. Despite the racist antics of a certain number of Hungarian supporters, their side was soundly defeated 4-0. Hungary was disgraced in the eyes of the civilised world.
Dominic Shelmerdine
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