UK leader gambles on tax hike to pay for elder care

By JILL LAWLESS
Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a tax increase to pay for the rocketing cost of the long-term care needed by Britain’s growing older population. Johnson told lawmakers in the House of Commons that he had made the “difficult but responsible” decision to hike taxes in order to raise 36 billion pounds ($50 billion) over three years for social care and the overstretched National Health Service. Johnson announced a 1.25% increase in National Insurance payments made by working-age people, saying the move was “responsible, necessary and fair.” But the plan beaks an election promise not to raise taxes Johnson is facing opposition from members of Johnson’s Conservative Party, as well as the opposition.