tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post6824514746883347999..comments2024-03-29T09:14:53.583+00:00Comments on All That Is Solid ...: Hammond's National Insurance NightmarePhilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-13816429670171890372017-03-10T15:42:00.726+00:002017-03-10T15:42:00.726+00:00Setting aside the rights and wrongs of breaking an...Setting aside the rights and wrongs of breaking an election promise for the moment I guess the question that should be asked is, was he right to raise NIC Class 4 payments?<br /><br />If we need more revenue to pay for essential services in an economy that is not growing sufficiently strongly to increase tax receipts "naturally" then raising it through progressive taxation is surely the fairest way to do it. Should SE people be targeted as opposed to, say corporations or higher earners is worth asking but generally I don't see much that is wrong with this move, and I speak as a member of a family where Self Employment has been a way of life for over 30 years.<br /><br />The problem for Hammond is three fold, he broke a pretty clear election pledge, he is targeting what is traditionally a Tory demographic and, probably worst of all for him, within the ranks of the Self Employed are a plethora of freelance media hacks and pundits who will no doubt begrudge paying a little extra to fractionally bolster the social case system.<br /><br />I fully expect some sort of about face in the coming days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-44801772558919721262017-03-09T18:53:15.011+00:002017-03-09T18:53:15.011+00:00Good piece here from the excellent Torsten Bell
h...Good piece here from the excellent Torsten Bell<br /><br />http://www.resolutionfoundation.org/media/blog/reforming-tax-for-the-self-employed-should-be-welcomed-by-progressives-and-fiscal-hawks-alike/<br /><br />So this is broadly a good thing, genuinely progressive and sensible.<br /><br />Labour should say so. It should also say that they first suggested doing something similar under Ed M. Raising some taxes in difficult times is the right thing to do, if it safeguards our public services and protects the vulnerable. <br /><br />They should also point out that the Tories emphatically said they they wouldn't raise any taxes and put it in their last manifesto. They have now reneged on a clear commitment. Thats something our front bench should be able to hammer them on I'd have thought.<br /><br />Steve Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-66657565772740799232017-03-09T13:29:55.757+00:002017-03-09T13:29:55.757+00:00Another alternative is that it is a trap for Labou...Another alternative is that it is a trap for Labour (some of our back-benchers have already supported it), which Mcdonnell has not fallen for. Instead he has trod a very careful line of opposing it, but not ruling out an equalisation between employed & self-employed NI contributions.<br /><br />Hammond may have expected the row it would cause with his back-benchers, but calculated that by the time he was seen to give in (accept their advice) Labour would be in the position of supporting a tax rise, which the Tories were voting against.<br /><br />Mcdonnell by some clever footwork is now in the position whereby if Hammond backs down Labour can take credit and if Hammond doesn't Labour is in the happy position of voting against a tax rise whilst the Tories are in all sorts of disarray.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02269272926588920566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-31753155417047388932017-03-09T12:21:25.704+00:002017-03-09T12:21:25.704+00:00The way things are with universities, increasingly...The way things are with universities, increasingly teaching will be done by self-employed postgrads or ECRs on a contract or hourly basis. As a postgrad I already supplement my bursary through self-employment as well as part-time teaching that attracts a wage. Perhaps this is about making sure that the next generation who are tipped out of permanent employment into less secure self-employment with no benefits end up paying enough NI and tax to keep the benefit system going. Krisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17846670223338514717noreply@blogger.com