John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to Theresa May’s announcement to delay the planned rise in National Insurance for the self-employed, announced in the Budget only yesterday, said:

“It just goes to show that the Tories can never be on the side of ordinary working families when they believe it is acceptable to go ahead with £70 billion worth of tax giveaways to those at the top, while introducing a £2 billion tax hike for low and middle earners.

“The fact the Prime Minister won’t fully support her own Chancellor’s Budget measure, and has been forced by Labour to row back on it just 24 hours after he delivered his speech in Parliament, shows the level of disarray that exists at the top of government.

“Labour have been clear from the moment they were announced that we will oppose these tax rises on low and middle earners, as we don’t think it is a laughing matter, unlike Theresa May and Philip Hammond.

“What is even more alarming is that the Government didn’t stop and think before announcing such a tax hike. It should have been obvious that they would need to consult first, or at least wait until after their review on self-employment had finish, before announcing such drastic changes.

“As a result millions of ordinary working families will have been made to worry, and will now be holding their breath until the Government makes up their mind. 

“Theresa May should simply show some leadership, rather than this partial U-turn, and just scrap these tax rises for low and middle earners altogether.”

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