National Insurance: Partnerships

Debate between Lord Johnson of Lainston and Lord Livermore

Monday 10th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Livermore (Lab)]

I am grateful to my noble friend for his question. I am not going to comment, as he knows, on individual tax measures, but I think we can be clear that the priorities for the forthcoming Budget will be protecting our NHS and public services from a return to austerity. It should be a Budget for growth that supports businesses to create jobs and innovation; we should improve the cost of living, doing what is necessary to protect families from high inflation and high interest rates; and we should keep debt under control.

[Lord Johnson of Lainston (Con)]

My Lords, I think there may be a misunderstanding about what LLP structures are. Will the Minister agree with me on the importance of these structures, which enable people to pool their own labour? This is not a loophole; it is an opportunity for people to come together, and they are effectively charging tax on employing themselves. Will the Minister agree with me that, in principle, LLPs are a good idea, and that getting rid of them would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater? We have just had a baby in the Chamber, so I am very reminded of that. If he could answer my question, I would be very grateful.

[Lord Livermore (Lab)]

I do not know if the noble Lord was paying attention for the last 10 minutes, but I have made it extremely clear that I am not going to comment on individual tax measures.