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The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Livermore) (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 31 March 2025

Debate

National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill

Contribution

My Lords, I will also speak to Motions B, C and D. On Motions A, B and C, the other place has disagreed with Amendments 1B, 5B and 8B as they would interfere with public revenue. The other place did not offer any further reason, trusting that this reason is deemed sufficient. On that basis, I hope that noble Lords are content not to insist on Amendments 1B, 5B and 8B. I turn to Motion D. The other place has disagreed with Amendment 21B for the reason that the Government and the OBR have already outlined the impacts of this policy change. I have no doubt that the amendments tabled at previous stages of the Bill by the noble Baronesses, Lady Neville-Rolfe and Lady Noakes, and the noble Lord, Lord Londesborough, were well intentioned, and I am grateful to them for ensuring that these important matters have been properly addressed during our debates. More broadly, I assure all noble Lords that giving careful consideration to and properly assessing the impact of the Bill is a priority for this Government. I commit on behalf of the Government to continually monitoring and assessing the impacts and effects of these policies. Specifically with regard to special educational needs and disability, which has been the subject of several such amendments, the Government recognise the challenges within the SEND system, where outcomes for children and young people are often poor. The Government understand that change is urgently needed and we are committed to delivering long-term, sustainable change. On the issue of SEN transport, while the Government do not expect the changes to national insurance to have a significant impact on home-to-school travel for children with SEND, I can commit that all these issues will be fully considered as part of the forthcoming spending review. On that basis, I hope that noble Lords will be content not to insist on Amendment 21B. I beg to move.

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