Chancellor Rishi Sunak must not punish hard-working Brits to refill the coffers
Think again
RISHI Sunak must urgently rethink his misguided idea to hike the “striver’s tax” on Britain’s white van men.
The Chancellor has hinted that he believes the self-employed should pay the same National Insurance as those in employment because they received bailouts similar to the furlough.
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That comparison doesn’t hold water.
During lockdown, the employed and the self-employed were in similar positions: the restrictions meant that huge swathes of both groups couldn’t work.
In normal times, though, their lots can’t be compared.
White van men and other self- employed strivers who form the backbone of our economy don’t get the same sick leave, paid holiday or parental leave packages as those in employment.
So of course they shouldn’t be expected to cough up the same in National Insurance contributions. If the Chancellor’s got any sense he’ll leave motorists alone in the November Budget too.
Fuel rises can seem insignificant to Londoners mainly using the Tube. But for the average family, already shouldering the highest tax burden in decades, the 5p hike would mean shelling out an extra £68 a year. And for a white van man driving 50,000 miles, that rises to an eye-watering £670.
We know Mr Sunak’s Covid bailout package didn’t come cheap.
But punishing hard-working people for going about their daily business is the wrong way to refill the coffers.
Stylish Adele
WE have no time for the woke keyboard warriors trying to “cancel” the fabulous Adele for “cultural appropriation”.
The Notting Hill carnival is all about dressing up.
And Adele’s stylish picture of herself in a Jamaican flag bikini was clearly celebrating Caribbean culture, not appropriating it.
The superstar grew up in Tottenham surrounded by multi-culturalism, so she understands it far more than most.
And stars with Jamaican ancestry — including Alexandra Burke and Naomi Campbell — are lining up to support her.
Let’s hope this Twitterati nonsense will be soon be Water Under The Bridge.
Top Marcs
THREE cheers for Marcus Rashford, a magnificent role model using his now powerful voice to end child hunger in the UK.
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His aim is noble — and his campaign refreshingly practical.
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Instead of virtue-signalling on social media and requesting vague impossibilities from the Government, the articulate young footballer has approached the PM with three specific policy recommendations — which Boris Johnson is now “carefully considering”.
You’re playing a blinder, Marcus.
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