'The NHS is very well funded': Treasury minister dodges question on impact of NI change

23 March 2022, 18:46 | Updated: 23 March 2022, 18:53

Treasury Minister asked the same question nine times

By Sophie Barnett

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury has told LBC the NHS is "very well funded" as he refused to answer whether the health service will receive less money after the Chancellor raised the National Insurance threshold.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Speaking to LBC's Tonight with Andrew Marr, John Glen said funding for the NHS is "secure" as he batted away questioning over the impact of the change to the threshold.

From this July, people will be able to earn £12,570 without paying income tax and National Insurance, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced on Wednesday.

The Chancellor says this will amount to a tax cut for employees "worth over £330 a year".

Watch Tonight with Andrew Marr exclusively on Global Player every Monday to Thursday from 6pm to 7pm.

Andrew quizzed the treasury minister on what this will mean for the NHS, pressing him nine times on whether the health service will receive less money.

Mr Glen refused to say what it will mean for the NHS, claiming the service will be "fully funded".

"The NHS will be fully funded as per the plans by the spending review last October, and this additional levy will deal with some of the significant pressures that we've seen through Covid," he said.

"I'm sorry, I'm struggling here," Andrew replied.

"This tax was going to raise money directly for the NHS and nobody else, there's less money coming in from the tax and you're telling me that's going to make no difference at all. I don't understand. I literally don't understand."

You can also listen to the podcast Tonight with Andrew Marr only on Global Player.

Mr Glen said they are bringing in the tax as announced in September.

"But what we've introduced today was honouring that manifesto commitment to align the thresholds between paying in national insurance and tax," he said.

Andrew asked again what the fiscal effect of the threshold increase by £3,000 means for the NHS, saying: "In very simple terms, does the change in the threshold mean less money for the NHS or not?"

Mr Glen dodged the question, claiming the NHS is "very well funded" through the spending review, and today's announcement was about "helping people come to terms with the pressures of their household budgets".

He later said the money for the NHS is "secure".

More follows...

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Soccer - International Friendly - Venezuela v Nigeria

England star John Fashanu arrested over 'five crimes' as he sues police for £100,000 compensation

NASA astronauts Nick Hague, right, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. (NASA via AP)

'Stranded' NASA astronauts set to return from nine month space mission - but what health issues could they face?

Exclusive
Jordan Stephens, Rizzle Kicks star.

Rizzle Kicks star says children 'rely' on online communities for connection as he says 'boredom' to blame for rising crime

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference in the Downing Street Briefing Room after hosting virtual meeting with international leaders to discuss support for Ukraine.

Military chiefs to meet in UK next week - as Starmer confirms Ukraine peace effort ‘moving into operational phase’

Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast in England, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP)

Russian captain of Solong container ship remanded in custody following crash with US oil tanker

BRITAIN-UKRAINE-DIPLOMACY-POLITICS-DEFENCE

'Coalition of the willing': Starmer hosts Ukraine peace summit as PM urges Putin to 'come to the negotiating table'

Joanne Penney, 40.

Five charged and one arrested after fatal shooting of 'deeply loved' mother

Ozdemir Zia hit Edna McLean as he turned his double-decker near Woolwich Arsenal station, London.

Bus driver avoids jail after killing 83-year-old pensioner in 'momentary error'

Front facade of a pretty country cottage, Netherbury, Dorset, UK - John Gollop

Met Police suggest planting roses in your garden could deter would-be burglars

March 11, 2025, London, England, UK: Actor, director and writer NOEL CLARKE arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice for his libel case against The Guardian over articles on sexual misconduct allegations against him.

Actress said to have been groped by actor Noel Clarke tells court 'it is a lie'

Melbourne, Australia. 15th Mar, 2025. Lando Norris of McLaren celebrates taking pole position during Qualifying at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Victoria, Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Lando Norris takes pole in Australia GP qualifying - as Lewis Hamilton trails in eighth on Ferrari debut

Merritt Island, Florida, USA. 14th Mar, 2025. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Crew-10 astronauts lifts off from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Mar. 14.

SpaceX rocket finally launches to bring two stranded NASA astronauts back to earth after nine months

The body of 23-year-old Martine Vik Magnussen was discovered in a basement in Great Portland Street, London, in 2008

On-the-run suspect urged to hand himself in 17 years on from murder and rape of student found dead in basement

Pint of Guinness in front of different ale and beer pumps, The Merchant's Arch Bar & Restaurant, Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland

Guinness pint prices could soar to more than £6 due to Trump’s tariff war

Vladimir Putin must stop playing games with a ceasefire and come to the table, Sir Keir Starmer said, as he convenes world leaders to discuss peacekeeping in Ukraine

Starmer to host Ukraine peace summit - as he warns Putin to 'stop playing games' with ceasefire and come to table

Donald Trump speaks at the Justice Department

Trump insists peace talks with Russia are going 'really well' despite Putin being accused of 'delaying tactics'