Business and the Economy — 21 May 2025 at 16:16

That this House regrets that unemployment is rising and causing misery for young people in particular, that this Government has displayed a negligible understanding of business and that investors and entrepreneurs are being driven overseas; further regrets that over 200,000 businesses have closed since Labour took office, as a result of the Government’s policies to raise employers’ National Insurance contributions, in breach of the Labour Party manifesto commitment, to scrap Business Property Relief, to impose £4.5 billion of additional costs on businesses through the Employment Rights Bill and increases to business rates; and calls on the Government to urgently change course to support jobseekers, small and medium-sized enterprises, family businesses and entrepreneurs who take risks to create wealth and jobs that benefit people across the country.

“left with little choice but to increase prices”-

“will simply force businesses to cut jobs, freeze recruitment, cancel planned investment, reduce trading hours and, in the worst-case scenario, close their doors for good.”

“investors and entrepreneurs are being driven overseas”.

“the clear policy direction, stable regulatory frameworks and overall attractiveness of the UK”

“over 200,000 businesses have closed since Labour took office”,

“extra costs directly related to changes in export regulations due to the end of the EU transition period”.

“The package will be significantly positive for society (i.e., the benefits will outweigh the costs)”.

“a direct and positive impact on economic growth”.

“Once you start thinking about”-

“growth, it is difficult to think about anything else.”

“‘could we be in recession’? Yes we could.”

Debate in Parliament |