HM Treasury has deleted a “disgraceful” post on X which was slammed by Conservative and Reform MPs for “misleading” the British public about National Insurance.
The post in question claimed that the new Labour Government has stuck by its pledge to not raise taxes on “working people”.
However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that National Insurance would indeed be hiked for employers during her Autumn Budget last month.
Earlier this month, the Treasury’s X account posted: “Last week, we committed to protecting working people in the Budget.
“This is why we are not increasing the basic, higher or additional rates of income tax, National Insurance of VAT. Click below to find out what we are doing to support working people.”
Included in the post was a link to the Government’s explanation of how their policies will potentially benefit workers.
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The Treasury deleted a post on X which critics claim was “misleading”
PA / X
This sparked outrage online and led to backlash from Tory MPs who urged the Reeves to clarify that National Insurance was in fact raised last month.
Over the past week, this anger was clearly heard by the Treasury as the post is now deleted.
Reacting to this U-turn, Reform MP Rupert Lowe praised the post being taken down but called for a “correction” from the Chancellor.
He posted on X: “Positive news – following our pressure, this disgracefully misleading post from HM Treasury has been deleted.
“Now, where is the correction and apology? National Insurance did increase. I wrote to Rachel Reeves demanding a correction, and have just done so again.”
Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride MP also hit back at the “misleading” post and urged Labour ministers to be doing it again.
The Conservative MP said: “It is right that the Treasury have taken down their misleading post on the Chancellor’s National Insurance hike. Given this response, I hope all Government ministers will now correct the record accordingly.”
Reeves raised National Insurance on employers last month
PA
Following the Budget announcement, the rate paid on National Insurance contributions by employers will rise from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent. As well as this the current tax threshold of £9,100 will cut to £5,000 from April next year.
Both the hike to the National Insurance rate and the lowering of its threshold for bosses are part of Rachel Reeves’s funding plans. Permanent Secretary James Bowler wrote to Stride to outline why the post was taken down.
Bowler explained: “The post was linked to taxes of working people and, as such, the reference applied to National Insurance contributions levied on employees.
“Nonetheless, for the avoidance of any doubt, the post has been taken down. I assure you we take seriously how HMT content is put into the public domain.”
