Labour’s National Insurance Jobs Tax comes into force on 6 April 2025, meaning 761 businesses in Runcorn and Helsby are facing higher tax bills. This tax, according to official forecasters, will not only impact businesses but will lower wages and increase prices in the shops for working people. It could cost working families £3,500 over this Parliament, through lower wages. Labour broke their manifesto promise by imposing this tax, which is why the Conservatives are opposed it and will continue to stand by businesses in Runcorn and Helsby.
Conservative Candidate, Sean Houlston has vowed to stand by the 761 businesses in Runcorn and Helsby who will be hit by Labour’s Jobs Tax this Sunday, reaffirming the Conservative Party will always be on the side of business.
Labour’s National Insurance Jobs Tax will increase the rate of employers National Insurance Contributions by 1.2 percentage points and reduce the threshold, so businesses start paying the tax sooner. This amounts to a £25 billion tax raid on businesses.
The Conservatives have campaigned tirelessly against the imposition of this tax and attempted to work with the government to make smaller businesses exempt – but Labour Members of Parliament refused to back down from their tax raid.
The Government’s independent forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) confirms this Jobs Tax will hit working people through lower wages. Using their figures, it can be calculated that families will be £3,536 worse off over the life of this Parliament because the Jobs Tax will result in lower wages as it squeezes businesses’ profits.
The OBR also confirm the Jobs Tax increases the cost of employing someone by £800 and an average business will see their tax liability increase by £26,000. This is on top of the £5 billion a year cost of imposing Labour’s Employment Rights Bill.
The National Insurance Jobs Tax hits businesses at a time of great uncertainty in the face of tariffs and other bill rises such as energy bills and business rates which is why the Conservatives campaigned against it.
Commenting, Sean Houlston said:
“Labour’s National Insurance Jobs Tax is more than just a broken promise, it is a sledgehammer to jobs and wages in Runcorn and Helsby.
“Only the Conservatives will stand by the 761 businesses in Runcorn and Helsby who will face the brunt of this tax.
“Labour have no business experience so they do not understand it is businesses – not the government – who create jobs and wealth across the country. This tax does the opposite.”
Mel Stride MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:
“Labour’s Jobs Tax unleashes war on business, and we know working people who will be £3,536 worse off over this Parliament as a result of this tax grab.
“Before the election, the Labour Chancellor promised not to raise people’s taxes – including National Insurance. Rachel Reeves has broken that promise.
“From today, it means lower wages, higher prices and job cuts. Labour don’t understand business and we are all paying the price.”
