Under the proposals, anybody with financial assets over £20,000 is very likely to contribute to care costs from their income. Recently introduced Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) have a central aim of integrating care with health services. The Health and Care Bill progressing through parliament specifies a range of measures urging integration and collaboration.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson lauded the introduction of the Health and Social Care Levy as producing “profoundly conservative” outcomes.

Questioning Health and Social Care secretary today, I said

“One of the reasons why you have used the term’ health and social care’ is because what you have established here is a principle that you pay at the point of delivery. As we see health and social care begin to integrate, I think the fear for many of us on this side is that this is a Trojan Horse for introducing those payments for health care for the NHS. One of my fears is that when the Prime Minister spoke of this delivering’ profoundly Conservative outcomes’ is just that danger itself.”