TAXES will rise for millions in April as planned, despite growing pressure for a U-turn as the cost of living spirals.
But Boris Johnson is now said to be likely to slash VAT on energy bills after a change of heart.
A string of top Tories yesterday demanded that the Prime Minister postpone the 1.25 percentage point National Insurance rise until next year.
But Government insiders said there were no plans to change course and the extra cash was vital for the NHS to recover from Covid.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick and former Brexit boss David Davis were among those calling for the £12billion tax grab to be halted.
It will hit pay packets in the new tax year.
A Government source said last night: “The NHS and social care levy is crucial to ensure the NHS gets the funding it needs to clear the backlogs caused by the pandemic.
“This Government is determined to achieve social care reform, something that has been dodged for too long. NICs is a progressive way to raise the money, with every individual contributing according to their means and the lowest paid protected.”