The upcoming Budget shows a shift in how government sees working-class people‚ with Rachel Reeves planning employer-related tax modifications. A big-scale change to employers National Insurance might bring £20bn to treasury coffers
The proposals main focus is on company-paid taxes which experts say will affect workers in various ways: lower wages reduced hiring and pension-cut risks. Small-business owners face hard choices — they cant lower minimum-wage payments or reduce basic pension contributions so job-cuts might be their only choice
Its crucial that the Chancellor avoids making it more expensive for small businesses to employ people
Public-vs-private sector differences show up in retirement savings (public-sector pensions average £65‚400 while private-sector ones sit at £10‚300). Sir Steve Webb former pensions minister points out that business taxes affect three groups; workers customers and company-owners
- Reduced future pay increases
- Less-generous pension schemes
- Fewer job openings
- Higher costs for customers
Lord Blunkett and other cross-party figures warn about these changes impact. The planned 13.8% increase in costs might push companies to pick cheaper pension options instead of better-performing ones. Treasury officials dont comment on tax changes before Budget announcements‚ but inside sources say theres worry about effects on businesses that hire young workers