National insurance increase is right and fair, says Sajid Javid

Health secretary defends 1.25-point rise criticised for placing too much burden on lower earners

The increase in national insurance payments for millions of people already struggling to deal with the cost of living crisis is both right and fair, the health secretary has said.

Sajid Javid said the levy of an extra 1.25 percentage points, due from Wednesday, was needed to pay for health and social care after the pandemic.