FUNDING FOR THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE AND SOCIAL CARE

That this House notes the immediate and long-term financial challenges facing the National Health Service and social care services; further notes that these challenges arise largely from an ageing population as well as advances in technology and medicine; recognises the public's preference for contributing additional revenues to health and social care through payments that are reserved for this purpose; calls on the Government to meet the immediate financial challenge not through deficit financing but by raising additional hypothecated funds for health and social care; and further calls on the Government to consider meeting the long-term challenge by reforming both the National Insurance contributory base and local precepts along progressive lines to fund a National Health and Social Care Service.