Quiz of The Week: 4 - 10 September

Boris Johnson this week took the biggest gamble of his premiership yet by unveiling a planned tax hike to fund adult social care and tackle the NHS backlog.

The prime minister's manifesto-busting 1.25% rise in National Insurance contributions pushes the tax burden on UK workers to the highest level since the 1950s. Furious Tory backbenchers accused Johnson of trashing the Conservatives' reputation as the party of low taxes.

But despite predictions of a “backlash” from Tory MPs, a rebellion failed to materialise in the Commons. Only five Conservatives voted against the new measures, which passed by 319 votes to 248.

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In a further roll of the dice by Johnson, the government is set to break another manifesto pledge after confirming a suspension of the “triple lock” for annual state pension increases. The controversial move was triggered by a big post-pandemic rise in average earnings that would have meant pensions increasing by around 8%. Instead, the rise will be in line with either the consumer inflation rate or 2.5%, whichever is highest.

Need a reminder of some of the other headlines over the past seven days?

• Priti Patel sanctioned plans for the UK Border Force to turn migrant boats back across the English Channel towards France, risking further damage to diplomatic relations with the neighbouring nation.
• Texas introduced a new law that authorises private citizens to sue anyone who performs, “aids or abets” an abortion after the sixth week of pregnancy - effectively ending access to abortion services in the US state.
• The Taliban claimed to have captured the Panjshir Valley, home of the last pocket of resistance in Afghanistan. Resistance forces said they were still holding out, however.