I was pleased to hear that planned rises in National Insurance for the self employed have been scrapped. Presented in Phillip Hammond's first budget last week, the method of raising money was controversial, because the 2015 Conservative manifesto had explicitly stated 'no rises in National Insurance contributions' (Page 8). However many (or few) people bother to read a manifesto, to break a key pledge was shameful. Clearly the Chancellor hadn't done his full research on what he was allowed to increase, and what was banned.
I supported the policy of raising NI for the self employed. Everyone has access to the same public services (hospitals, schools, state pension) and it seemed only fair that people, in whatever form of employment, pay the same amount. Whilst I understand that the self employed have different working conditions to someone in secure employment, the rate of NI would have still been lower than employed people: 11% to 12% respectively. To raise the rate by 2%, generating £2bn for social care, seemed excellent. What I could not support was such a promise being broken. Everyone voted for different reasons, but to break such a key pledge doesn't send a good message about political trust, especially when it's already so low. By breaking a promise, voters would be, rightly, angry, turned off and discontent, which only fuels the rise of extremist, fringe parties on the far left and right. If the manifesto had said no rise in NI, there should have been no rise. Simple. This is incredibly embarrassing for the Chancellor. Though I doubt he will resign or be sacked, his credibility of being a safe Chancellor has declined. Whilst I welcomed the investment in new grammar schools, far more needs to be done. What the Chancellor needs to focus on is finding the money for social care, reducing the deficit and the debt and ensuring that corporations pay their fair share. Money should not be taken from the poorest in order to help those at the top. What seems far more important than any economic policy is the Tory election fraud. Apparently 12 police forces up and down the country are investigating claims that money spent during the 2015 Tory election campaign was either not declared or under the wrong category. The MP for Thanet South, who, narrowly, beat Nigel Farage, was interviewed at the weekend about spending. To me, the story seems very under reported. The truth must be exposed and by-elections, where appropriate, should be held.
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