Sajid Javid Assured To Disclose Tax Hike Jar To Fund Social Care Crisis
SAJID JAVID could support a tax rise to pay for the long-awaited reform of the social care sector, allies have claimed, and has been backed as a "problem solver" that can stop a Government standoff over funding to handle the crisis.
Sajid Javid, who changed Matt Hancock as Health Secretary last weekend, has been tipped to make the step forward by former colleagues as he is without an "ego" and has experience in both the Treasury and other government departments to form a compromise, the Daily Telegraph has reported.
When he was Communities Secretary, he was instrumental in pressing ahead with a social care principle that caused a two percent amplify to council tax bills to cover care costs, suggesting he could be open to a comparable move now.
But one former colleague of Mr Javid, who has worked closely with him on policy issues, claimed he could be instrumental in forming a step forward in the standoff between Number 10 and 11.
They said: “He’s a team player. He’s not a conciliator but he is aware of how to find a way through.
“He’s a hassle solver. There are too few of those people in the Government.
"Everyone wants their pomp and celebration. He has got a policy brain. That is what health needs right now. He is not an ego.”
A 2nd ally of Mr Javid stated of his relationship with Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak: “He’s someone who is relied on by both those senior people in government.
"It might be pretty helpful for bringing those different views together.”
Speaking for the first time as Health Secretary in the House of Commons earlier this week, Mr Javid insisted social care reform "remains an absolute priority" for the Government, pouring cold water over claims he wants to prolong the proposals.
He stated "sustainable funding" needs to be part of the solution.