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Borders MP John Lamont today urged the Prime Minister to scrap the "jobs tax"

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Thursday, 26 March, 2026
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Borders MP John Lamont today urged the Prime Minister to scrap the "jobs tax"

Borders MP John Lamont today urged the Prime Minister to scrap the "jobs tax" by reversing the recent increase to National Insurance.

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, John Lamont MP raised the case of Rob and Lizzie Reeley, who run the Kings Arms Hotel in Melrose.

Their family business, including hotels in the Borders and across Scotland, employs more than 250 people.

They have warned that Labour's increase to National Insurance has increased their bills by £280,000.


Borders MP John Lamont said: “I recently met Borders residents Rob and Lizzie, who run a successful family business employing over 250 people.

"Their business is a key local employer in the Borders and across Scotland, yet they are facing serious challenges because of the National Insurance increase.

This family has seen their bills rise by £280,000 because of the jobs tax, placing significant pressure on the business."

"I have spoken to dozens of other local enterprises who are in a similar situation. Many of them feel forced to scale back growth plans, reduce their hours of operation, limit staff hours or even cut the number of jobs they provide. We need to get Britain working again, but the policies of Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are doing the opposite. Labour's jobs tax is putting people's employment at risk."

"The Prime Minister must begin to understand and accept the damage that the National Insurance increase is doing. How does Sir Keir Starmer expect businesses to keep providing as many jobs, or even survive at all, when they are facing six-figure increases to their bills?" 


 

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