Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Employer National Insurance Contributions: Job Creation

Wednesday 15 January 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Assessment of potential impact of proposed increases in employers' national insurance contributions on job creation in Northern Ireland has been made.
  • The Office for Budget Responsibility expects real wages to rise by 3% after accounting for employer national insurance contribution impacts.
  • The Chancellor imposed tax increases to raise revenue needed to address a 22 billion fiscal deficit.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ashley Fox Con Bridgwater
Economy Employment Northern Ireland
Context

The question pertains to the impact of proposed increases in employers' national insurance contributions on job creation in Northern Ireland, raising concerns about business growth and investment.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of proposed increases in employers’ national insurance contributions on job creation in Northern Ireland?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Fleur Anderson)

There are many pressures on businesses that we are constantly assessing and talking to businesses about. The hon. Member is right to raise the subject of job creation in Northern Ireland; it is a priority for this Government. We are supporting businesses in many ways, including through Invest Northern Ireland’s fund for small businesses, and by directly supporting jobseekers through our funding for employment support schemes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific assessment of the impact on job creation due to proposed tax increases.

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Q2 Ashley Fox Con Bridgwater
Economy Taxation Northern Ireland
Context

The questioner is concerned about the impact of high tax increases on businesses in Northern Ireland, questioning how they will be able to grow and invest.

Question

How does the Minister expect businesses in Northern Ireland to grow and invest in their communities given that they have to pay enormous tax increases imposed by the Chancellor?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Fleur Anderson)

Even after accounting for employer national insurance contribution impacts, the Office for Budget Responsibility expects real wages to rise by 3%. Raising the revenue to fill the £22 billion black hole required us to take difficult decisions, but they will result in improved public services, which is good for all people in Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address how businesses are expected to grow and invest despite tax increases.

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