Tax increases in the autumn statement

The Department of Health statement might well say that the "public can be assured that under this government the NHS will remain free at the point of contact", but as the duplicitous Tories clearly have no intention of adequately funding the health service, more privatisation, and the inevitable charging will follow (Morning Star,17/11/16).

     There could well be some notional increases in funding in the forthcoming autumn statement, but whether it will be additional money, or, indeed, arrive where it is needed, are moot points, and the call by the Tory MP for an "honest debate" on fees for treatment is both enlightening and worrying.

      Of course, the Tories will say there is insufficient money for the NHS, but the chancellor will undoubtedly announce some tax reductions, when the opposite is needed. Many in the media suggest tax increases for us all, but the lower paid provide too much in taxes already.The rich, on the other hand, have benefited hugely from the Tories` tax cuts since 2010, and increases in income tax to 45% for all those earning over £65000, 50% over £100000, and 55% over £140000 do not appear unreasonable, especially when remembering the average eanings are around £26000. Most modern economists are agreed that the Laffer Curve was simply a political method to enable lower taxes for the rich.

       These new tax bands need not be permanent, but until the country`s economy improves sufficiently so that welfare services are no longer at risk, such increases should be underpinning the strategy of a government supposedly eager to maintain the high standards of the NHS.