Millions of workers in the UK will begin to pay higher contributions to National Insurance (NI) from today.
In what is said to be part of a plan to raise billions of pounds for the NHS and social care, the government announced the 1.25 percentage point increase in National Insurance as part of its 2021 Autumn Budget last year, and insists it is “necessary, fair and responsible” that the rise still be introduced, despite growing pressure for it to be put off in the wake of the wider cost of living crisis.
From today, annual earnings above £9,880 will be liable for 13.25% NI contributions, and for those above a higher threshold of £50,270, the rate will be 3.25%.
Employers’ National Insurance contributions will also go up by 1.25 percentage points.
The government predicts that the tax rise will raise £39 billion over the next three years to help reduce the COVID-induced backlog within the NHS, and then later reform adult social care for the long-term.
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From Wednesday 6 April, the Health and Social Care Levy will begin to raise funds to help tackle Covid backlogs and reform services.
Over the next three years £36 billion will be invested in the health & social care system to ensure it has the long-term resource it needs.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) April 3, 2022
It has been confirmed that lifetime care costs will be capped at £86,000 from October next year, and there will also be a change in the assessment of individual assets that people have to be eligible for help with care costs, as currently, only those with assets of less than £23,250 receive help, but this will go up to £100,000
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the levy was the “necessary, fair and responsible next step, providing our health and care system with the long term funding it needs as we recover from the pandemic”.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak added: “This government will not shy away from the difficult decisions we need to take to fix our social care system and slash NHS waiting times.”
Health Secretary @sajid tells @KayBurley the National Insurance rise can only come from two sources, 'directly from people today' or borrowing it from 'the next generation'.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid also defended the move to increase NI contributions in an interview live on Sky News this morning, explaining: “All of the funding raised from it is going to go towards the extra £39 billion we are going to put in over the next three years to health and social care.
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“It’s going to pay in the NHS for activity levels that are some 130% of pre-pandemic, it’s going to be nine million more scans, tests and procedures, meaning people will get seen a lot earlier [but] why is any of this necessary, whether it is for health or social care?
“It’s because of the impact of the pandemic. We know it is unprecedented. It has been the biggest challenge in our lifetime.
“The impact of that is going to continue for many years.”
Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, has called the NI price hikes “the wrong tax at the wrong time” in an interview on Good Morning Britain this morning, adding that: “The sad reality is a lot of the money gathered through this tax increase, in the end, is going to be filling a blackhole.”
Featured Image – National Insurance (gov.uk)
News
Coronation Street and Emmerdale cancel filming after news of cutbacks and reduced schedule
Danny Jones
Coronation Street and Emmerdale production crews are said to have cancelled at least one day of filming this week following news of more cutbacks and a reduced schedule of programming.
The beloved British soaps have been up against it for some time now, with viewing figures and costs struggling at both ends of the spectrum, and the latest development doesn’t spell great news for the cast and crew, not to mention audiences.
According to Digital Spy, regularly scheduled filming was due to take place in Manchester and Leeds on Tuesday, 5 February, with each show shooting roughly six to eight weeks in advance of storylines.
However, following reports of more hits to the industry and the latest steps ITV, specifically, which will see fewer episodes of both Corrie and Emmerdale air each week, film crews are said to have been stood down as they await further updates.
Part of the Coronation Street set over in Salford Quays. (Credit: The Manc Group)
Announcing steps at the start of February, ITV confirmed that Coronation Street and Emmerdale are to see their content cut by an hour a week between them from next year.
While Corrie currently broadcasts three hour-long episodes per week and Emmerdale four half-hour episodes plus one full-hour instalment, the new slate will see both soaps dial back to only air 30-minute episodes, with a so-called ‘soaps power hour’ every both shows at 8pm and 8:30pm.
Put in simplest terms, viewers will have half an hour less of their regular soaps to watch overall each week but with episodes airing at more regular intervals, which the network claims is “viewer-led” and will allow fans to enjoy the shows “in the most digestible way.”
Metro writer Duncan Lindsay has labelled the decision as a tough one to make but something that could ultimately “save” the two long-standing soap operas in the long run.
On the other hand, this obviously means a big chunk of work being lost for those working on sets across the board, with ITV having already taken steps to cut costs ever since the pandemic, and the UK’s viewing public has given mixed reactions, to say the least.
The hour of scripted content saved from the overdue cut to Corrie and Emmerdale should be pumped into a new continuing drama. It’s the only way to justify the loss to the industry.
With an increased focus on streaming and making both shows more accessible, episodes will continue to be released from 7am on ITVX before airing on live telly later that evening.
Responding to the changes, the performing arts union Equity admitted that the steps do cause “further cause for concern”, especially following the cancellation of other soaps like Doctors and Hollyoaks also having recently seen its schedule adjusted.
It remains unclear when the respective cast and crews will return to filming.
What do you make of the cutbacks: will you miss the sum total of 60 minutes being shaved off your Corrie and Emmerdale catch-ups, or do you think it’s a bittersweet step that could help freshen up the format and sustain it for years to come?
Already being described as “the ultimate African safari experience right here in the UK”, some of the lodges will be located at the side of a lake, while others will offer views of a private savannah-style habitat that are home to Northern giraffes.
Bookings officially went live last Wednesday (29 January), and demand was “nothing short of phenomenal”, with the website crashing for a brief period and more than 550 bookings made so far.
But merely moments after this, people began hitting out at the prices for overnight stays.
Those working on the “very special” project say a stay at The Reserve will help to fund Chester Zoo’s global conservation projects.
Chester Zoo has issued a statement after people slammed the ‘totally ridiculous’ prices for safari-style lodges / Credit: Supplied
In the off-season, prices for the lodges start from £375, while one-night stays in summer start from £672.50, and then in peak season, for the more luxurious lodges, prices can go all the way up to £2,486, but it’s worth nothing that this does include guided safari tours and going behind-the-scenes with the giraffes.
“As an international wildlife charity we wholly rely on public funding to carry out our species-saving work,” a Chester Zoo spokesperson said in defence of the pricing.
“The Reserve is the latest way that people may wish to help to directly fund our global conservation projects and make a difference to the future of some amazing, but sadly endangered, species.
“A stay at The Reserve includes so much more than a room for the night.
“Packages include elements such as a range of exclusive behind-the-scenes and animal experiences, breakfast, dinner and out-of-hours access to the zoo, as well as two-day passes and the chance to view wildlife straight from your lodge balcony.”
Find out more and book your stay in the new lodges on the Chester Zoo website here.
Emily Sergeant -
6th April 2022 
