Autumn Statement

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 1:27 pm on 22 November 2023.

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Photo of John Redwood John Redwood Conservative, Wokingham 1:27, 22 November 2023

Let me first declare my business interests.

I welcome the measures to promote more investment and more growth, which is vital. We have lost about 800,000 self-employed people since February 2020. The national insurance measure will help a bit, but will my right hon. Friend look again at the way in which IR35 prevents them from expanding their businesses and getting contracts? The measures to promote the growth of small businesses are also welcome, but the VAT threshold acts as a strong disincentive to expand a business when it reaches a certain point.