MP: National insurance rise would have damaged East Dunbartonshire's flourishing entrepreneurial spirit

Local MP John Nicolson has welcomed Prime Minister Theresa May's sudden U-turn over plans to increase national insurance levels for self-employed people announced in last week's budget.

Last week Mr Nicolson criticised Chancellor, Phillip Hammond, for going back on a manifesto pledge not to increase national insurance saying that it was disappointing he had reneged on earlier assurances at a time when we should be supporting and encouraging small business.

This week he said: “I welcome the UK government’s U-turn on National Insurance hikes for self-employed people. They made a manifesto promise not to increase contributions so it is unfortunate that they put hard-working, self-employed people through a week of needless stress and worry.

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“This only serves to undermine the credibility of the Chancellor and to highlight the chaos at the heart of government.

“Entrepreneurial spirit flourishes in East Dunbartonshire but some self-employed people, particularly those on low incomes, don’t enjoy the same rights and protections as others.

“Small and medium enterprise is crucial to the local economy and jobs market so I am delighted that the Tories have capitulated and put an end to this damaging policy.