TWO Dorset MPs were among a handful to vote against the Prime Minister's Health and Social Care Levy Bill, which will increase National Insurance by 1.25 per cent for workers and employers.

The new, UK-wide levy will come into effect from April 2022 and will fund social care in England, helping the NHS recover after the pandemic.

Only 10 Tory MPs voted against the prime minister's plans to increase national insurance by 1.25% , despite the policy breaking Mr Johnson’s 2019 election manifesto commitment not to raise taxes.

Two of the 10 MPs to vote against the plan were Dorset MPs, Sir Christopher Chope and Richard Drax.

In a speech to the House of Commons on Tuesday, South Dorset MP Richard Drax said: "The NHS has become a religion—no one dares take its name—but a radical review of health provision is crucial if we are not to pour money into a black hole; we have heard this expression used repeatedly today, but it is a bottomless pit. Without reform, this money, well intended by the government, will disappear.

"I sympathise with the government and the Front Benchers, as these are unprecedented times, but I urge them: don’t go Labour-lite on us now. With our finances in a perilous state, we need to work our way out of this mess, not tax our way out. We need to galvanise our economy.

"Let me remind the House, that we are talking about taxpayers’ money, something that, as Conservatives, we should not squander. Those on this side of the House are responsible for people’s money or we are not Conservatives at all."

The National Taxpayer's Alliance revealed that workers will see a total national insurance bill of more than seven times that of the retired, at £4,662.

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Working taxpayers will take a drubbing from this disproportionate Tory tax hike.

“Despite claiming to share the burden, national insurance hits low paid workers and struggling employers hardest. This levy lays the groundwork for more demands for cash after the next election, without sustainably sorting social care.

“Time will tell whether Boris ends up breaking another promise, and raises taxes on working people again without properly fixing the social care system.”

Statistics from the Golf Travel Centre suggest what the tax increase will cost in luxuries such as nights out, takeaways and holidays.

Earners making £20,000 a year will pay an additional £130 in taxes, equivalent to a three month gym membership or one night at a luxury hotel in the UK.

Earners making £30,000 a year will be taxed £255 extra a year, equivalent to the cost of one first-class Eurostar ticket, or a month's food shop and eating out for one person.

Top bracket tax payers (£100k), will pay an additional £1,130 in taxes, equal to a three-night stay in a five-star hotel in the Algarve's or Arsenal season tickets.