National Insurance Contributions (Rate Ceilings) Bill

Jim Cunningham Excerpts

Tuesday 15th September 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)]

Has the Minister done an impact assessment on public services—for example, the impact that the Bill will have on the national health service and benefits?

[Harriett Baldwin]

I am delighted to hear the first bid from the Opposition not to freeze national insurance for employers and employees. As the hon. Gentleman will know, national insurance contributes a substantial sum to the Exchequer and we have committed as a Government to continue to increase the amount of money that goes into the NHS.

[Mr Cunningham]

The Minister should not twist my words. I asked her about the impact of the Bill.

[Harriett Baldwin]

Of course, the impact of freezing national insurance for employers and employees is that throughout the life of this Parliament they can have the confidence that their national insurance rates will not change—a confidence they would not have if the hon. Gentleman had any say in it.