Taxpayers should pay more to help fund social care. That's according to former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who's arguing for a "health and care premium", rather than an increase in national insurance (NI), which has been touted in newspaper reports. In their 2019 manifesto, the Conservatives pledged not to increase the rates of NI, VAT or income tax. Boris Johnson had promised to "fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan we have prepared" on his first day as prime minister - more than two years ago.
The government says it's "committed to bringing forward a long-term plan to reform the social care system" and will set out proposals this year. And Mr Hunt, who now chairs the Commons health committee, argues in the Daily Telegraph that while "uncomfortable" for his party, the issue can only be solved through the tax system. His proposed premium would allow "an honest debate" at every election about the level of health and care funding, separately from spending in other areas, he says. It would also "mean a fairer comparison about the tax burden with countries operating insurance-based systems", he adds.

Water gushing across subway platforms, cars bobbing helplessly across flooded roads, buildings ripped apart... The pictures bring home the sheer force of Tropical Storm Ida, which tore through the US north-east. At least 45 people are dead. Some were trapped in flooded basements, others got caught in cars as waters rose. In the space of an hour, a record 3.15in (8cm) of rain fell in New York's Central Park. It's prompted Joe Biden to say tackling climate-related destruction is a "matter of life and death" and declare a need for "historic investment". The president is to visit Louisiana, where more than 900,000 homes remain without power. Our before and after images show the extent of the destruction.

Our furry friends helped thousands of us cope with lockdown and, as demand for pets grew, charities say it forced up prices for the most desirable breeds by as much as 89%. With that, however, came a marked increase in pet theft. It prompted the government to set up a taskforce, which found about 2,000 dogs were reported stolen in 2020. It recommended pet abduction be made a specific criminal offence, acknowledging the emotional distress it causes. And UK ministers are backing the proposal. They say the current maximum jail term for theft of seven years is rarely used in pet cases because sentences are partly determined by items' monetary value. It's not yet clear, though, what the maximum sentence for pet abduction might be.

The Daily Telegraph predicts a tax rise for about 25 million people to pay for "the biggest overhaul in social care funding in a generation" and to bring down NHS waiting lists. However, the Times reports a split in the cabinet, with Health Secretary Sajid Javid pushing for a tax increase of 2% and Chancellor Rishi Sunak arguing against any rise of more than 1%. The Daily Express leads with suggestions over-50s could get Covid booster jabs within weeks. Meanwhile, the UK's regulator is moving towards approving jabs for younger teenagers, according to a government source quoted in the i. The Sun says ministers want advisers to hurry with decisions. "More jabbing, less jabber!" is its headline. Read the review.

After Abba revealed new music and announced their first studio album for 40 years, Radio 2 is celebrating the Swedish quartet by releasing a host of material on BBC Sounds. Nicki Chapman runs through some of their most famous hits on Let's Abba Party, while Scott Mills explores where it all begin, in telling the story of Eurovision 1974. There's even an ultimate Abba quiz, for those of you who don an anorak with your spandex bell-bottoms. And, talking of quizzes, it's Friday, which means it's time for our quiz of the week's news: Seven days, seven questions.

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