Equalities Watchdog Criticizes Reeves Over Insufficient National Insurance Raid Assessment

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves has come under fire from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) for failing to adequately assess the impact of her National Insurance (NI) policy on workers. The policy, introduced as part of the latest Budget, underwent an evaluation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on behalf of the Treasury. However, the findings were initially withheld and only released after mounting pressure.

 

In a pointed letter to the Treasury and HMRC, the EHRC expressed concern, stating that the assessment “does not demonstrate how HMRC is considering the potential equality impact of the policy and is not by itself likely to be sufficient to meet the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty.” The report claimed the NI raid would have no equality impact since it targets businesses rather than individuals. However, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) contradicted this, warning that 80% of the financial burden would ultimately fall on workers through reduced wages.

 

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) added further criticism, highlighting that the adverse effects would disproportionately affect women, who are overrepresented among lower-paid workers. In contrast to the NI policy, all other major Budget measures were accompanied by comprehensive Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) on the day of the announcement.  

 

Government officials initially stated that the NI policy’s assessment would be published next year alongside finalized legislation. However, after *The Telegraph* reported the withholding of the document, it was swiftly released in response to a Freedom of Information request. The revealed assessment also disclosed that seven out of ten disabled pensioners would face reduced winter fuel payments due to cuts implemented by the Chancellor.

 

The incident has drawn sharp criticism from political opponents. Conservative Party members labeled the situation “appalling” and suggested that Reeves might have violated the ministerial code. Gareth Davies, the shadow financial secretary to the Treasury, condemned the handling of the policy, saying, “We have been sounding the alarm over the damaging impacts of Labour’s National Insurance jobs tax, and now the equalities watchdog is doing just the same. This broken promise not to tax working people will harm small businesses, depress wages and drive up prices for consumers—impacts it seems the Government has failed to even consider with their substandard assessment, like many other of their policies.”

 

The controversy underscores growing scrutiny over the government’s handling of economic policies, particularly their effects on vulnerable populations and compliance with equality standards. Critics are now calling on Reeves and her team to provide a more detailed analysis of the NI raid’s full implications.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-11-21

 

 

 

[JonnyF]

She is clueless. Totally unqualified for the position like most of the Labour cabinet. Working in admin at a bank does not qualify you to be Chancellor. 

 

She even lied on her CV to appear more credible. 

 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/11/18/what-rachel-reeves-said-on-her-cv-vs-her-actual-experience/

 

This government is a disaster. 

 

[RichardColeman]

Just Liebour stealing as much much as they can from anyone that is not a Liebour donor.

 

Only hope that those fools that voted liebour are enjoying raids on their income, loss of winter fuel payments and potentially the loss of their jobs.

 

Vote stupid party, get stupid red politicians

[JonnyF]

Good to see The Guardian trying to justify her lies on her CV.

 

Nothing like a bit of whataboutism. 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/21/rachel-reeves-bank-england-cv-chancellor

 

[mokwit]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

Good to see The Guardian trying to justify her lies on her CV.

 

Nothing like a bit of whataboutism. 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/21/rachel-reeves-bank-england-cv-chancellor

 

'Yes she lied on her CV, but that's a good thing' is surely the headline they were looking for. With a bit of luck the rumours that she will be gone by the end of the day are based, not baseless.

[mokwit]

 

[JonnyF]

1 minute ago, mokwit said:

'Yes she lied on her CV, but that's a good thing' is surely the headline they were looking for. With a bit of luck the rumours that she will be gone by the end of the day are based, not baseless.

 

If she had any morals or self respect she would resign.

 

So I'm guessing she'll stay. 

[mokwit]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

 

If she had any morals or self respect she would resign.

 

So I'm guessing she'll stay. 

Applies to them all. what a truly awful bunch.

[mokwit]

7 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

If she had any morals or self respect she would resign.

 

So I'm guessing she'll stay. 

Her sister is an MP too, how does that work?

[BritManToo]

3 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Her sister is an MP too, how does that work?

Daddy has influence with the party selection team. Labour are just as bad as the Conservatives, nepotism rules.

[James105]

So that inheritance tax she introduced for farmers just about covers the money we send to farmers abroad as foreign aid.  They must be doing this on purpose to enrage people as this cannot just be a coincidence.   

 

 

[JonnyF]

17 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Her sister is an MP too, how does that work?

 

Maybe telling lies on your CV is a family trait?

[JonnyF]

6 minutes ago, James105 said:

So that inheritance tax she introduced for farmers just about covers the money we send to farmers abroad as foreign aid.  They must be doing this on purpose to enrage people as this cannot just be a coincidence.   

 

 

 

520 Million from the UK farmers.

 

516 Million to the foreign farmers.

 

Almost perfect alignment, it has to be deliberate. I suspect it is revenge for the majority of farmers voting for Brexit. 

 

Starmer hates Britain. 

[RayC]

7 hours ago, mokwit said:

Her sister is an MP too, how does that work?

 

 

7 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Daddy has influence with the party selection team. Labour are just as bad as the Conservatives, nepotism rules.

 

I believe that the usual process is as follows:

 

The Reeves sisters put their names forward as potential Labour Party candidates for two Parliamentary constituencies. They are each successful in being adopted as Labour Party candidates for these constituencies. The electorate then vote in an election. The Reeves sisters each poll the most votes of any one candidate in their (two different) respective constituencies. The (two) returning officers announce that " ... And that < insert christian name> Reeves has been duly elected to serve as Member of Parliament for the <name of constituency>." The Reeves sisters then tip up to the House of Commons on the first day of the new Parliamentary session. After a first administrative necessities, they then start performing the functions of an MP.

[mokwit]

8 hours ago, RayC said:

each successful in being adopted as Labour Party candidates for these constituencies

This is the critical part, selection by the Labour party, in some cases favoured candidates are "selected" and airdropped into safe seats.

[James105]

9 hours ago, RayC said:

 

 

 

I believe that the usual process is as follows:

 

The Reeves sisters put their names forward as potential Labour Party candidates for two Parliamentary constituencies. They are each successful in being adopted as Labour Party candidates for these constituencies. The electorate then vote in an election. The Reeves sisters each poll the most votes of any one candidate in their (two different) respective constituencies. The (two) returning officers announce that " ... And that < insert christian name> Reeves has been duly elected to serve as Member of Parliament for the <name of constituency>." The Reeves sisters then tip up to the House of Commons on the first day of the new Parliamentary session. After a first administrative necessities, they then start performing the functions of an MP.

 

Presumably since she shares genes with her sister Rachel she might also be a formidable chess champion, or perhaps a young prodigy with an equally impressive resume and had equivalent employment to her sisters "Bank of England economist" at just 21 years old.  

 

There were stories going around on Twitter that Reeves was the Crufts champion 2024, but since Rachel didn't have this achievement on her CV perhaps it was her sister?  

 

[RayC]

1 hour ago, James105 said:

 

Presumably since she shares genes with her sister Rachel she might also be a formidable chess champion, or perhaps a young prodigy with an equally impressive resume and had equivalent employment to her sisters "Bank of England economist" at just 21 years old.  

 

It's possible. 

 

1 hour ago, James105 said:

There were stories going around on Twitter that Reeves was the Crufts champion 2024, but since Rachel didn't have this achievement on her CV perhaps it was her sister?  

 

 

I wouldn't believe everything that you read on Twitter. This story is untrue. 

[RayC]

2 hours ago, mokwit said:

This is the critical part, selection by the Labour party, in some cases favoured candidates are "selected" and airdropped into safe seats.

 

You're right. The selection process used by political parties to select their parliamentary candidates can be controversial

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckkkq4kx3l0o

 

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-tory-candidate-selection-system-is-broken/