TAX TO RISE
By Paul Eastham

Cabinet ministers launched a major campaign yesterday to prepare Middle England for big tax rises. Without them, they claimed, the NHS cannot be revived.

Twelve hours after Tony Blair warned of a huge tax increase in the April 17 Budget, a senior colleagues rushed to reinforce the message.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn insisted: "If we want sustained investment in the NHS, we will need to pay for it. I believe the best way of doing it - the fairest and most efficient way - is through general taxation."

The Tories, in a surprise break with previous policy, signalled that they agreed. Shadow Health Secretary Dr Liam Fox suggested taxes 'may have to rise', although he said later the party is still reviewing how to fund the NHS.

Experts said a Labour tax rise would be targeted solidly on the middle-income earners.

A rise in the upper limit of National Insurance is the most likely option - ministers repeatedly refused to rule out such a move during the general election campaign.

A drastic curb in the value of personal income tax allowances may also be high on the Budge agenda. That could force another million people into the higher 40 per cent tax band.

But there were warnings that, for all the stress on the NHS, the Government needs money from somewhere to continue it's promised spending on other public services like education and transport. And health experts said simply throwing money at NHS problems would not be enough without careful consideration of where and how to spend.
Daily Mail Friday February 22, 2002

Phillip Day Comment: I've got a better idea for reforming the NHS behemoth. Start feeding the patients properly, give them water to drink and not sodas, and bring a full-on nutritional regiment to bear on all those occupiers of hospital beds. Don't hold your breath though. A tax rise is a much better idea to expand an already morally reprehensible and greedy health service infrastructure.