Lib Dem Helen Maguire MP: Chancellor has missed opportunity to deliver change for Epsom & Ewell

Following today’s Spring Statement, local Liberal Democrat MP, Helen Maguire has said that the Chancellor “missed her chance” to deliver the change needed in Epsom & Ewell by failing to scrap the jobs tax and reforming business rates.

The Spring Statement confirms that taxes will rise on small businesses through the rise in employers’ national insurance contributions. Helen Maguire MP, and the Liberal Democrats have instead urged the Labour Government to raise money not from local high streets but by asking the big banks, social media giants and online gambling companies to pay their fair share.

Several businesses in Epsom & Ewell have written to Helen Maguire to express alarm at the impending hike in employers national insurance set to come into effect on 6 April 2025.

The news is particularly concerning for businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors inEpsom & Ewell - who are already being squeezed by rising operational costs and corporation tax.

Helen Maguire, Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom & Ewell, said:

“Across Epsom & Ewell, people are struggling with eye-watering bills, businesses are buckling under pressure and our public services are crumbling.

“This Spring Statement was a real opportunity for this government to turn things around for the better, but instead it will just inflict more pain on our small businesses and high streets, cut public services and hit disabled people.

“There is no doubt the Conservatives left our economy in tatters, but the Chancellor has missed her chance to deliver the change and growth we need here in Epsom & Ewell.

“I and the Liberal Democrats will campaign for the Government to urgently change course and look to boost growth in much fairer and effective ways, raising money from the banking, tech and gambling giants, not the businesses in our high streets and the farmers in our community.”