However, it’s ironic that the hardest-working segment in our country – families who run small businesses – are being hit the hardest by these ‘Make Work Pay’ changes. While I’m relieved the Employment Allowance offers some relief for the smallest businesses, who often struggle the most with covering their costs and complying with the seemingly endless rules on tax and employment, the recent focus on ‘protecting the workers’ has created a sense of a ‘them-and-us’ divide in this Budget.
Small businesses account for 48% of employment in the UK, yet this approach seems to pit employees against their employers. For many, the risks, workload, and challenges of running a small business may start to feel like they no longer match the limited rewards.”
