UK business groups say Johnson's tax rises will add burden and cost jobs

Boris Johnson has set out plans to raise taxes on workers, employers and some investors.

British business organisations have criticised prime minister Boris Johnson's plans to increase taxes to pay for health and social care reform, saying they added to the burden on firms struggling due to the Covid pandemic and would cost jobs.

Mr Johnson has set out plans to raise taxes on workers, employers and some investors.

The announcement received a cool reception from businesses, which were asked to pay a 1.25 percentage-point increase to a payroll tax known as national insurance.

"Businesses strongly oppose a rise in national insurance contributions as it will be a drag anchor on jobs growth at an absolutely crucial time," said British Chambers of Commerce head of economics Suren  Thiru.

"This rise will impact the wider economic recovery by landing significant costs on firms when they are already facing a raft of new cost pressures and dampen the entrepreneurial spirit needed to drive the recovery."

But, the British government said it was right that businesses should make a contribution given that they benefit from the health and social care system via their employees. 

Big businesses would bear the largest burden of the tax rise, Mr Johnson said.

A UK government document, published alongside the announcement, said 70% of the money raised from businesses will come from the largest 1% of companies and around 40% of businesses would not be affected at all by the levy.

Manufacturers' group Make UK said the measures would hinder the UK's recovery from its worst economic slump in more than 300 years in 2020.

"Economic history tells us that job cuts are most likely when the economy starts to open again after a downturn because firms need the capital to reset," said chief executive Stephen Phipson.

• Reuters