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 percent 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.

It will also be spent on changes to the social care system that are scheduled to come into force from 2023.

But Labour have branded the UK-wide rise in National Insurance - paid by workers and businesses - as a "tax on jobs" and claimed it would not fix the problems in social care.

During a debate on the government's plans, Labour's shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves accused ministers of attempting to rush the plans through parliament before they "unravel".

Wednesday night's vote on the proposals came just a day after Mr. Johnson had announced them, with some criticizing the little time MPs were given to consider them.

(With input from agencies)