Newspaper column 16 September 2021 - the NHS and Social Care Levy

The first week back in Parliament following Summer Recess was a busy one and I was pleased to question Ministers on more support for Falmouth’s maritime industry as well as for the delivery of T-Levels by Truro and Penwith College.

The big issue from last week was around the new NHS/Social Care Levy, which will be paid for by a 1.25% rise in National Insurance Contributions, which will go directly to support the NHS.

I acknowledge that the issue of funding social care is a difficult one and one that is very important to many constituents for a variety of reasons.

With an ageing population in Cornwall that is living longer, these funds do need to be found and we all have a part to play. This issue will only become more pronounced the longer we leave it, and has not addressed by previous governments of all colours. I am pleased that our Prime Minister is grasping the nettle and starting the serious conversation about where the funds should come from. It’s worth mentioning that other parties have previously suggested this, so it is a shame that they are now deciding to play politics with it – particularly when we need it now more than ever.

The 1.25 per cent Health and Social Care Levy on earned income, hypothecated in law to health and social care will raise almost £36 billion over the next three years, with money from the levy going directly to health and social care across the whole of the country. I will of course be lobbying to ensure Cornwall gets our fair share.

Everyone has a role to play as we recover from the pandemic, just as the Government looked after everyone during the pandemic. Some will say we have gone too far, some will say we haven’t gone far enough.

For absolute clarification, this is not a tax or our lowest earners. Those who earn more, will pay more.

This was a difficult decision, it would be wrong of me to say otherwise. However, having spent more than £407 billion to support lives and livelihoods throughout the pandemic – from furlough to vaccines – difficult but responsible decisions are required to pay for it. We cannot keep running away from the problem by borrowing more. We need to face up to the challenges our country faces.

Yes I accept this breaks a manifesto commitment, which is not something I do lightly. But a global pandemic was in no-one’s manifesto. The pandemic and the consequence cost of it, could have never been predicted.

This won’t be pay awards for NHS middle management, it will go straight to the front line, and in particular help with clearing the backlog of operations that has arisen as a result of the pandemic, at a time when we need to get more out of our health and social care system than ever before.

We must now help the NHS to recover, to be able to provide much-needed care to our constituents and the people we love – and we must provide the funding to do so, in a way that is right, reasonable and fair.

As ever, if you need my assistance with anything then my team and I are here to help. Please get in touch with me by email at Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk , or by telephone on 01872 229698. I have now restarted my regular constituency advice surgeries, held in a covid-safe environment at my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me about any matters that I can be of assistance with.