MPs have backed a tax hike to boost funds for dealing with the NHS treatment backlog and to reform social care in England.

In a vote on Wednesday night, the House of Commons voted by 319 to 248 in favour of a 1.25% rise in National Insurance contributions from next April.

The government has said the estimated £12bn a year raised by the new "health and social care levy" will be used to help tackle soaring waiting lists for NHS treatments as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

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