LONDON, (Reuters) – A plan to increase British social security contributions by workers and employers in April will be implemented, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said and Rishi Sunak, the finance minister, confirmed. This is despite opposition to scrapping the increase due to pressure on household budgets.

As rising inflation worsens the cost of living squeeze, there has been increasing pressure on the government, even from Conservative legislators, to cancel or delay a new social and health care levy. This will cause the National Insurance rate to rise by 1.25 percent.

Some British newspapers have speculated that Johnson, who faces a possible no confidence vote https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/london-police-move-to-limit-downing-stre-idUSKBN2K20L9 over social gatherings at Downing Street during COVID-19 lockdowns, might seek to shore up support by scrapping the rise.

Writing a joint article in the Sunday Times newspaper, Johnson and Sunak said: “We must continue to be responsible now, as we deal with Covid aftershocks — and above all with the Covid backlogs in healthcare … We must go ahead with the health and care levy.”

Britain had its largest budget deficit since World War Two. This was equal to 15% of the gross domestic products in 2020/21.

Both men stated that they were “tax-cutting Conservatives”, but they must also be accountable for public finances.

We believe that people can make the most informed decisions about how they spend money. “We want to go through this phase, and move forward with our plans,” they said.

We will drive confidence in the business sector with healthy financial results. Record investments will help us lay the groundwork for long-lasting, job-driven recovery.

British inflation was 5.4% in December, its highest level in almost 30 years. Rising energy prices added to household budget pressure.

Johnson and Sunak both stated they were continuing to search for the best possible way to assist people during the recovery from the Pandemic. They also discussed the most effective medium- and long-term strategy to enhance the safety of Britain’s energy supplies.