§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it is intended to make charges to patients instead of the present basis of the National Health Service.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinMy right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday announced our plans for financing National Health Service expenditure in 1981–82. These do not include any new extension of patient charges. Instead, from next April, arid subject to Parliament passing the necessary legislation, most employees will pay an extra 0.25 per cent. in their NHS
50Wlower and upper limits, class 1 or class 4 contributions rise automatically with earnings or profits. Inflation increases therefore affect only the flat-rate contributions and class 1 and class 4 contributions on earnings and profits above the old upper limits.
For someone earning £130 a week — about the average for men—and not contracted-out, the class 1 contribution would rise by £1.30 a week. For the self-employed person with profits of this amount, the combined class 2 and class 4 contribution would rise by 94p a week. The maximum increase in the class 1 contribution—for those earning £200 a week or more—would be £9.16 a week. £7.16 of this is due to the increase in the upper earnings limit — this increase is for the employer and employee jointly—and £2 is due to the increase in the rate. For the self-employed the maximum increase would be £3.04p a week, £1.60 due to the higher profits limit and inflation element in the class 2 increase and £1.44 due to the extra increase in rates.
contribution. The Government believe that people are prepared to pay a bit more to maintain the growth of spending on the NHS.