Streeting targets Farage over tax hike 'to fund NHS'

Labour is seeking to take back control of the narrative over the chancellor's controversial national insurance hike, accusing Reform UK and the Conservatives of plotting to pull billions of pounds of funding from the NHS.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

With the tax rise coming into effect today, health secretary Wes Streeting has challenged critics including Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch to explain how they would pay for a reversal of the policy change.

The 2p increase to employer national insurance has been attacked by opposition parties, business chiefs and top economists, who have linked it to the stagnant economy since it was unveiled by Rachel Reeves in October.

But, in a bid to get back on the front foot, Labour has argued the money raised by the tax hike is being used to fund improvements to the health service including an extra 2 million operations, scans and appointments for patients.

The £25.7bn tax hike is also funding investment into rebuilding crumbling hospitals, a funding boost for GPs, home improvements for 8,000 disabled and elderly people and a slew of new radiotherapy machines to improve cancer treatment.

In letters to Mr Farage and Ms Badenoch, Mr Streeting said the party leaders’ plans would “cut this funding and leave our NHS more than £25bn poorer”.

“So, will you finally be straight with voters and set out which areas of current NHS funding you would reverse in government?” the health secretary asked.