Workers will feel benefit of National Insurance tax cuts

Wtaxith the new tax year starting on 6 April, employees will see the benefit of National Insurance cuts in their pay packets. In the Conservative Government's Spring Budget, the Chancellor reduced the NI tax rate from 10% to 8% from this month, building on the cut from 12% to 10% that took effect in January and means the average worker is £900 better off.

Meanwhile the self-employed NI rate is going down from 9% to 6%. When combined with the tax cuts announced last Autumn, this means they keep an extra average £650.

I met the Chancellor ahead of the Spring Budget and welcome these tax cuts because they reward hardworking people.

So does the increase in the National Living Wage, which goes up to £11.44 an hour from this month.

These are among the Budget measures that will make local families and workers better off, help our local businesses, support our pensioners and invest in our NHS.

I know these are all top priorities for people across the Havant Constituency.

Extending the 5p cut on fuel duty will keep pump prices down and ease the costs of running a car or van.

Meanwhile freezing alcohol duty will help local pubs, restaurants and hospitality venues.

Businesses are also being supported by increasing the VAT registration threshold for the first time since 2017, up from £85,000 to £90,000. The Government is also increasing the number of families eligible for Child Benefit, benefiting some parents by an average of £1,260.

All working age benefits have been increased by 6.7%, boosting benefit payments for households who receive Universal Credit by an average of £470 a year.

Then there is extension of the Household Support Fund to help vulnerable households with the cost of living.

Meanwhile the State pension rises by

8.5% in line with the Triple Lock to protect pensioners. The basic State Pension will be £3,750 higher than in 2010.

The Government is also investing in our NHS with £2.45 billion announced for next year – plus an extra £3.4 billion to improve productivity, freeing up medical staff to focus on patients.

Finally, the best ways to stay up to date with the work I am doing as your local MP all year round are to follow my social media accounts, especially Facebook, and sign up for my monthly residents' email newsletter.

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