Health and Social Care Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Health and Social Care

Alicia Kearns Excerpts
Tuesday 7th September 2021

(2 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Boris Johnson Portrait The Prime Minister
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The hon. Lady should remember that 40% of companies will not be affected at all by this. I am sure she also knows that the labour market is so buoyant that not only are there huge numbers of vacancies, but wages are rising, and that is a good thing.

Alicia Kearns Portrait Alicia Kearns (Rutland and Melton) (Con)
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During the pandemic, the Government stepped in to save lives and jobs. In Rutland and Melton, 47% of jobs would have been lost without those efforts. Does the Prime Minister agree that it would be wrong to meet the cost with higher borrowing and debt, which would be carried by our children? Will he commit to look at those councils that are worse funded, specifically Leicestershire and Rutland, which need real help with social care above and beyond a generic formula across the country?

Boris Johnson Portrait The Prime Minister
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Yes, Mr Speaker. I thank my hon. Friend for what she says about Rutland and Melton, and we will certainly make sure the councils get the funding they need. She has hit on the fundamental point: borrowing more is no answer. We are borrowing a lot, and in the end borrowing is just future tax rises for younger people or even people unborn. That is not what this Government are going to do.