National Insurance Contributions Bill

Lord Cryer Excerpts

Tuesday 23rd November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

I must make some more progress.

If we are to move to a model of economic growth founded on private sector enterprise and investment, it is important that we encourage the formation of new business. For that reason, the holiday applies only to businesses that have been set up since 22 June, the date of the Budget. To ensure affordability, the holiday is limited to the first 10 employees taken on in the first 12 months of business. For each of those workers, the holiday will last for a single year, unless the closing date for the scheme—5 September 2013—is reached before the 12 months is up.

[John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab)]

I have listened very carefully to the Minister. Some 40% of the people in employment in my constituency work in the public sector. I represent some of the most deprived wards in London, which means some of the most deprived in the country, yet my constituency will be excluded from the holiday, whereas certain leafier parts, outside London and the south-east, will be included.

[Mr Gauke]

A labour market is not restricted to particular constituencies. The fact is that the private sector is much stronger in London and the south-east and East Anglia, and it is right that we focus this help at a regional level.