UK has ‘levelled down’ says commentator

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Mr Walker warned Westminster’s policies over the past two years have contributed to causing a bigger divide between the rich and the poor across the UK.  The political commentator pointed out the differences between the classes during the lockdown, explaining how those from a low-income background struggled more. Mr Walker explained that the new increase in National Insurance contributions would see the UK economy hit negatively from a loss of jobs.

TalkrRADIO host Julia Hartley-Brewer said: “This is the big opportunity, this is the levelling up agenda that is going to make the difference.

“First of all do you understand what it is? And second of all, do you think it’s going to achieve anything?”

Mr Walker said: “Well look, I’m strongly of the view, given that I’m from the North of England, that we do need a strong thing on infrastructure.

“The big problem with the North of England always has, is the industrial heartland, is things like road and rail and in the old day’s canals and whatever.

JUST IN: ‘Disaster!’ Kamala Harris blasted in ferocious tweet as Biden ‘playing identity politics’

Mr Waler added: “So I get that, the big problem that we’ve got in terms of levelling up agenda, and I don’t mean to be rude, is the fact that we’ve levelled down.

“As a result of the lockdowns, we’ve levelled down, as a result of educational inequality.

“We’ve levelled down in terms of the fact that the gap between rich and poor has become bigger and bigger as middle-class people baked banana bread, and working-class people have genuinely struggled, during the lockdown.

“Now! I don’t disagree with the level up agenda, but I will tell you, whilst the Conservative Party is still considering a major hike on national insurance, that going to cost jobs and going to be hugely damaging to the economy.

Rishi Sunak grilled on plans for pensioners in Commons

Mr Walker added: “I just think it feels very hollow, but I’ll tell you something else, that I get annoyed about as somebody that is from the North of England.

“This whole thing about rail, look! The North needs better rail and road infrastructure, but the fact that we’re spending all this money on HS2 which has nothing to do with the North of England.

“It’s merely about reducing congestion South of Birmingham and that’s fine if you want to tear up Buckinghamshire and do that.

“But actually why should we have our pot of money spent on this when it’s got nothing to do with us.”

The Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak have announced the increase in National Insurance by 13.25 percent in April.

Many Britons are already struggling to survive financially, and many will be most affected by the increase despite calls for the plan to be scrapped.

A spokesperson for Income Tax UK said: “People earning some of the highest salaries in the country, for example, workers on £100,000 a year are set to pay the same percentage of their salary to National Insurance as a person on £20,000 in 2022, despite earning five times as much.

“Those earning the average wage of £30,000 will see as much as nine percent of their salary swallowed by National Insurance.”

Source: Read Full Article