Political Monitor

Extract from APSCo bulletin

What's being said in Westminster

1.3m NI numbers given to foreigners since PM's 'British jobs for British workers'

Between July 2007 and June 2009, 1,370,820 NI numbers were allocated to foreign workers, the Department of Work and Pensions figures have disclosed. Whitehall figures show the number of foreign-born workers has risen by 22,000 while at the same time the number of British-born employees has slumped by 625,000. Critics said the figures, obtained by the Tories, were part of mounting evidence that Mr. Brown had failed to protect the jobs of British workers over foreign nationals. Shortly before taking office in the summer of 2007, Mr. Brown made the commitment, which was then repeated during his first party conference speech in September that year.

What's being said in Oppostion

Tories seek vote winner in reform of tax system for self-employed

The Conservatives are planning to reform the tax system so that it no longer assumes the self-employed are "on the fiddle" should they win the General Election. The change is being discussed as part of wider Tory plans to reform small business taxation. Mark Prisk, the Shadow Business Minister, said the tax system struggled to cope with people working outside of traditional employment. One radical option being considered is to allow the 600,000 people who sell their services through "one man" companies to opt out of employment. Instead of paying 11pc Class 1 National Insurance Contributions (NICS) on their income they would pay the £2.40 a week due under Class 2 NICs, which is paid by the self-employed.

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