Employers

Helen Maguire Excerpts

Wednesday 11th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[James Murray]

I thank the hon. Lady for mentioning energy bills, because as MPs and Ministers we all recognise that energy costs are one of the primary concerns for households and businesses across the country. In the Budget two weeks ago, we offered breathing space for families and businesses, including with energy bills. Crucially, we also set out the work we will be doing in the years ahead to get those energy bills down for good, and ensure that we can invest in home-grown, renewable cleaner sources of energy, break the link between electricity and gas prices, and remove standing charges from gas bills and then electricity bills. All that is about reforming the way the energy market works, because while breathing space is what households and businesses need now, we know that longer-term reform is needed over time.

I was explaining the breathing space for businesses, and I mentioned the cuts to business rates announced in the Budget. I remind hon. Members that we are backing people who want to start and grow businesses by cutting red tape and unlocking billions of pounds of investment. We also introduced our new founders’ relief for founders of high-growth companies, and a new young entrepreneurs allowance to cover a year of living costs for young founders while they bring ideas alive. Employers and businesses drive growth, offer job opportunities and create wealth across our country.

[Helen Maguire (Epsom and Ewell) (LD)]

I am sure the Minister will agree that the Conservatives left the high street on life support, but unfortunately I feel that Labour has failed to resuscitate it. Epsom and Ewell has a coffee shop called Brew Forty Two. The staff work really hard, but rising costs mean it is difficult to employ young people, and the Saturday job is pretty much now extinct. Does the Minister agree that we need to reinstate lower national insurance contributions?

[James Murray]

I will come to that later in my remarks. Employers do not pay national insurance contributions for under-21s, because of the relief that already exists, or for apprentices under the age of 25. That goes some way towards supporting the objective that the hon. Lady mentions, which is to ensure that employers are supporting young people into work. I agree with her comments about the state in which the Conservatives left high streets across the country, having not done what was necessary to support them over 14 years.

Businesses across the country are the ones who drive economic growth, and every employer across the country knows the importance of fiscal discipline. It is crucial in enabling them to succeed, just as it is the crucial bedrock of economic stability for the country and the foundation that we need to support confidence and long-term growth.