Oliver Letwin: government must look at tax rises for sake of public services

Former head of policy for David Cameron believes people are willing to see taxes go up to fund NHS and social care

One of the key architects of David Cameron's austerity programme has suggested the government must consider tax rises and increased spending on public services to respond to overwhelming pressure on social care, schools and the NHS.

Oliver Letwin, former chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who was Cameron's head of policy, said he believed most people were prepared to see a modest rise in tax bills in order to fund investment in public services, but stopped short of saying that should mean an end to the public sector pay cap.

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