Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy yesterday spoke in the debate on the increase in employer National Insurance contributions as planned in the UK Autumn Budget.
The debate aimed at highlighting the OBR’s assessment that the increase will stall real wage growth, worsening the situation as Welsh employment rates are already the lowest in the UK.
There are also concerns that there is a lack of clarity on whether the Treasury’s reimbursement will include sectors such as universities, GPs, and third-sector organizations.
Commenting on the news Janet said:
“It was a pleasure to speak at this important debate. This policy is misguided and damaging.
“It is a direct attack on businesses and workers, with the potential to stall wage growth, limit job creation, and weaken the already fragile Welsh economy.
“The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, claims this tax hike is necessary to fund public services. But let us be clear: the burden will not fall on her desk in Westminster—it will fall on employees, small businesses, and families struggling to make ends meet.
“We also heard that this will deeply affect our GP surgeries across Wales with one surgery having to cough up an extra £30k, the entire salary of a vaccinations nurse. How on earth is that fair?
“We were told that two Labour governments—one in Westminster, one in Cardiff—would mean great things for Wales.
“But all we’ve seen is a Welsh Labour government without backbone, allowing Westminster to dictate policies that harm our people and businesses.”
ENDS
