Will a Labour government tax us more to meet its promises of greater NHS funding? Sir Keir Starmer’s small steps have so far not revealed which direction they would take us, or how he would fund his expensive commitments. Thanks to the Conservatives copying some Labour policies on non-domiciled taxpayers and already committing the anticipated revenues, Labour’s promises on NHS expansion are essentially unfunded. That’s why I’ve explained before that Labour could introduce VAT on private healthcare such as knee, hip and cataract operations, and non-NHS dental or optical treatments. All in a good cause, of course – saving “our NHS” would be the narrative to sugar coat the financial pain of those easing their physical pains. Over the last 10 years the number of NHS doctors has increased by 37,700 (37pc) to 139,300 in Oct 2023 and of nurses by 72,600 (27pc) to 340,700 – but such is the poor productivity and climbing demand that Europe’s largest employer is still planning to recruit more. Yet Labour has promised, in addition to the existing plans for workforce growth, that it will recruit even more staff and fund extra overtime pay. Where will the money come from? Labour’s shadow health secretary...