Nadhim Zahawi ‘not comfortable’ with breaking manifesto promises

Minister's comments come as PM prepares to announce rise in NI contributions to fund social care

A UK government minister has said he is not comfortable with breaking any manifesto promises" as the prime minister prepares to announce an increase in national insurance contributions to fund health and social care and limit a rise in the state pension.

Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccine deployment minister, was defending plans to fund an overhaul of social care and tackle the NHS backlog, which have attracted criticism from Conservative frontbenchers, former chancellors and the party's so-called red wall" MPs.