National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill

Debate between Lord Leigh of Hurley and Lord Freyberg

Report stage
Thursday 5th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Freyberg (CB)]

My Lords, I rise to support Amendment 31. It is of particular relevance to the creative industries and would require an independent review of the Act’s impact on small and medium-sized enterprises within 12 months of its passing. It would specifically require that review to examine the impact on those with “irregular remuneration”, “seasonal working patterns”, or “multiple employments”.

That language almost exactly describes the working pattern of a freelance editor, a set designer or an editor moving between short-term contracts across a year. Many of the production companies, commercial houses and independent studios that engage those workers are themselves SMEs. Amendment 31 would ensure that Parliament receives evidence of how the Act operates in practice for both the workers and the businesses that depend on them. I therefore urge the House to support it.

[Lord Leigh of Hurley (Con)]

My Lords, I support these amendments. I declare an interest in that I am involved with a number of small and medium-sized enterprises. These amendments mirror amendments that we tabled to the then Employment Rights Bill, because we thought that the Government wanted to help and protect small and medium-sized businesses. That turned out not to be the case, which was very disappointing. Representations were made, and have been made in this instance, by the bodies that represent such small businesses that they do not welcome this.