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Boris Johnson speaks Russian as he urges citizens to find out truth about Ukraine 'atrocities'
Prime minister Boris Johnson has admitted that the hike in national insurace contributions has arrived at a “tough time”, but insisted the government had made “unquestionably the right move.”
The NI rise came into force today and was criticised by the Liberal Democrats who say the tax hike comes at the “wrong moment” as Britons face a growing cost of living crisis.
When asked how struggling households should save money, Mr Johnson said: “We’ve got to help families in any way that we can. And that’s why we’re putting another ￡22 billion into supporting families through what are unquestionably tough times caused by the end of the pandemic, the global inflation problem, the energy price spike that we’re seeing.
“We’re abating that, we’re helping people.
“But what we’re doing today is unquestionably the right thing for our country, it’s the right thing for the NHS.
He added: “And look, I’ve got absolutely no problem with it. We’ve got to do the difficult things, we’ve got to take the big decisions, the right decisions for this country.
Recommended What the National Insurance rise means for you Boris Johnson defends tax hike as national insurance rise comes into force Boris Johnson speaks Russian as he urges citizens to find out truth about Ukraine ‘atrocities’ Households’ financial wellbeing ‘at lowest point in two years’
Key Points National Insurance rise to come into effect today Boris Johnson defends tax hike as ‘necessary and fair' Government faces backlash at move to privatise Channel 4 ‘They are putting this tax up at the wrong moment’ - Lib Dems
Show latest update 1649263953
Hello. We are pausing our live politics updates for the evening, but will be back tomorrow morning - bright and early - with the latest from Whitehall and beyond.
For now, head over to The Independent’s Russia-Ukraine live blog, with my colleague, Joe Middleton, at the helm.
Putin’s daughters hit by new sanctions - follow live Russia invades Ukraine - live updates
Emily Atkinson 6 April 2022 17:52
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Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of everything related to politics in the UK.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 6 April 2022 04:38
1649220102 Boris Johnson addresses Russians in their language
British prime minister Boris Johnson, speaking in Russian, appealed to Russian citizens to find out for themselves the truth about Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a video message, he highlighted the war crimes Russia is accused of committing in the Ukrainian town of Bucha and encouraged them to learn about the reality of Mr Putin’s brutal offensive.“Your president knows that if you could see what was happening, you would not support his war,” he said.
“He knows that these crimes betray the trust of every Russian mother who proudly waves goodbye to her son as he heads off to join the military,” the prime minister added.
Tom Batchelor has more.
PM speaks Russian as he urges citizens to find out truth about Ukraine ‘atrocities’ ‘Your president knows that if you could see what was happening, you would not support his war,’ British PM tells Russian people
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 6 April 2022 05:41
1649220160 PM defends hike in national insurance
Ahead of the implementation of the hike in national insurance, prime minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday defended the move as “necessary, fair and responsible”.
On Wednesday, national insurance contributions will increase by 1.25 percentage points. From April 2023 onwards, the NI rate will decrease back to the 2021-22 level, with a new 1.25 per cent health and social care levy legally introduced.
“The levy is 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,” the prime minister said.
Aisha Rimi reports.
Boris Johnson defends tax hike as national insurance rise comes into force National insurance contributions will increase by 1.25 percentage points
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 6 April 2022 05:42
1649221574 Health secretary says ‘investment’ will tackle NHS backlog
Health secretary Sajid Javid said the pandemic had placed “unprecedented pressure on the NHS” and pushed up waiting times.
“This investment [from the national insurance tax hike] will go into tackling those backlogs and will help make sure everyone can get the care and treatment they need,” he said.
According to the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), the number of people waiting for elective care in England has risen from 4.4 million before the pandemic to six million.
Mr Javid added: “We can’t have business as usual, which is why we are rolling out surgical hubs and community diagnostic centres up and down the country to deliver millions more scans, checks and operations. This vital funding will ensure the NHS is equipped to not only reduce waiting times but also tackle the big challenges we face, from cancer to heart disease and dementia.”
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 6 April 2022 06:06
1649222677 ICYMI | Britain heading for worst fall in living standards since 1950s
Britain is heading for its biggest fall in living standards since the 1950s this year, despite a mini-Budget in which chancellor Rishi Sunak slashed ￡330 off national insurance for the average worker.
Mr Sunak also promised a 1p cut in the basic rate of income tax in 2024, in what was immediately denounced as a pre-election bribe.
But he did nothing for the poorest, who see welfare benefits far outstripped by inflation which is expected to peak close to 9 per cent this year.
He also rejected opposition calls for a windfall tax on the bumper profits of North Sea oil and gas companies to pay for a cut in VAT on energy prices.
Andrew Woodcock and Anna Isaac explain what led to the downfall in the standard of living.
UK heading for worst fall in living standards since 1950s as 1.3m people face poverty Cuts to national insurance and income tax will not stop total tax take rising to post-war high
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 6 April 2022 06:24
1649223660 Why is the government facing backlash for Channel 4 privatisation?
The government is facing a backlash from senior conservatives over its plan to privatise Channel 4, as Boris Johnson was warned that Margaret Thatcher would not have attempted such a move.
Channel 4’s former head of news and current affairs said the move was designed to “throw a bit of red meat to Tory supporters of a very right-wing nature at a time that the government is in trouble”.
If the government is to get its way, it will have to work hard to assure MPs that jobs – especially those outside of London – will somehow be protected during the process, writes Adam Forrest.
What is behind the Tory backlash against Channel 4 privatisation? If the government is to get its way, it will have to work hard to assure MPs that jobs – especially those outside of London – will somehow be protected during the process, writes Adam Forrest
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 6 April 2022 06:41
1649224473 Liz Truss wants Russian economy pushed ‘back to Soviet era’
Foreign secretary Liz Truss vowed to push Russia’s economy “back into the Soviet era”, as she called on the UK’s European allies to step up sanctions.
Ms Truss on her trip to Poland announced that the west had now frozen out more than $350bn (￡267 bn) from Putin’s “war chest”, making around 60 per cent of the regime’s $604bn (￡ 462 bn ) foreign currency reserves unavailable.
She added the sanctions had already a “crippling impact” on the Kremlin – but urged European Union countries to commit to a new wave of action ahead of meetings with G.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 6 April 2022 06:54
1649225513 PM’s onshore wind ambitions hit by 100 rebel MPs
At least 100 Tory MPs are allegedly lobbying against prime minister Boris Johnson’s decision to back away from ambitious onshore windfarm plans for England.
The prime minister has been hit by a split cabinet over the onshore wind farm plans, with transport secretary Grant Shapps branding the turbines as “an eyesore”.
Sources told The Guardian that the cabinet ministers and Tory MPs argued against the expansion and said they “should look at the polling in favour of the onshore wind. They are fighting a war from 10 years ago”.
“If you strip away the theatrics, everybody is talking about community consent. The PM has spoken about that, Kwasi [Kwarteng] has spoken about that. That’s one thing ministers would want to ensure that communities are to be paid to directly share in community infrastructure close by,” a government source added.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 6 April 2022 07:11
1649228241 Sajid Javid defends national insurance hike
The health secretary has defended the rise in national insurance for millions of workers, which kicks in today.
Sajid Javid told Sky News: “It’s going to pay in the NHS for activity levels that are some 13 per cent of pre-pandemic, it’s going to be nine million more scans, tests and procedures, meaning people will get seen a lot earlier.
The health secretary said money for public services can either come through taxes or borrowing, which he said is essentially asking the next generation to pay for it.
“I think it is right that we pay for what we are going to use as a country but we do it in a fair way. This levy, the way it is being raised is the top 15 per cent of earners will pay almost 50 per cent. I think that is the right way to do this,” he said.
Zoe Tidman 6 April 2022 07:57
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