MATT Hancock last night warned taxes will go up to pay for a social care revolution – as he admitted fresh delays to Government plans.
The Health Secretary said tax was “inevitably part of the solution to make sure we provide better care” as he was grilled by peers.
It came just days after ex-Minister Damian Green called for the over 50s to pay more National Insurance to avoid a social care meltdown.
Mr Hancock also suggested a nationwide insurance scheme should be set up to help Brits cope with the cost of a care home in later life.
And he risked a fresh Cabinet row by saying it was wrong for pensioners’ houses to be taken into account when assessing if they could afford domiciliary care in later life.
The idea was originally mooted in the Tories 2017 manifesto.
The remarks came as Mr Hancock admitted the Social Care paper – originally promised by Theresa May in 2017 – may not be published for months.
He said Brexit meant there was a lack of “bandwith” – but also suggested it was also being held by a Cabinet row over funding.
He said: “It’s coming in due course.
“I had hoped when I became Secretary of State that it would be ready by Christmas. Then I hoped to published by April.
“I’m afraid it has been delayed by Brexit and for the need for bandwith.
“I wish that it had been published by now. We’re continuing to work on it.
“This is such an important issue and a longstanding policy problem that needs to be tackled.”
