We have cut National Insurance by one-third since January as part of our plan to end the unfair double taxation on work. The Conservatives have committed to further reducing National Insurance and abolishing it entirely for the self-employed over the next Parliament.

I know this will make a huge difference to people across Castle Point - allowing people to keep far more of their hard earned income.

Rebecca Harris

As part of the clear plan to support working people and build a strong economy, the Conservatives have set out the long-term ambition to keep cutting National Insurance until it’s gone. This will address the unfairness that working people pay two taxes on their income – income tax and National Insurance – when other people only pay income tax

That is why the Conservatives will build on the double cut to National Insurance already introduced since January where the employee National Insurance was cut from 12% to 8%. It will now be cut again to 6% by April 2027. This will mean the Conservatives will have halved the double tax on work.

The reforms will benefit the 27 million working people in the country. Combined with the tax cuts delivered this year, this will be a total tax cut for the average worker of £1,350 a year. It will also mean the tax burden on workers is falling, with the average earner paying the lowest effective personal tax rate since 1975, lower than in the US, France, Germany or any G7 country.

The Conservatives have also set out bold action to abolish the main rate of National Insurance for the self-employed. Over the next Parliament, the main rate of Class 4 NICs will fall to 5% in April 2025, 4% in April 2026, 3% in April 2027 and 2% in April 2028, before being abolished entirely in April 2029.

Combined with the tax cuts already delivered this year, this is a tax cut for the average self-employed person on £28,000 worth over £1,500 a year. Two million self-employed people will benefit and take 93% of self-employed people out of paying Class 4 NICs.

The choice for voters at this election is clear: Stick with Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives who have a clear plan and will take the bold action needed to secure a brighter future for people across Castle Point. Or go back to square one with Keir Starmer and the same old Labour who will put up taxes for every working household.