Kevin Brown

Mr Brown highlighted that average income households are still going to be much worse off thanks to inflation and its effect on wages which on average are growing more slowly.

He said: “A worker on an income of £30,000 can expect to see £142 less in NI payments for the 2022/23 tax year. With CPI inflation currently at 9.1% while average wages (excluding bonuses) grow at 4.2% - anyone earning £30,000 will see their spending power eroded by £1,470 in the next year, way beyond what the NI increase will compensate for, and still £1,328 worse off overall.

“As such, many UK households can’t wait around for inflation to fix itself. Monthly spending has to be managed more stringently than most have witnessed for decades. And for those able to maintain some level of monthly saving, it is essential to contribute to short-term rainy-day funds to protect against the continuing rise in living costs.”

He added that UK households, however, should not rely on cash alone as average rates, while beginning to rise slowly, remain well behind inflation. He concluded that longer-term investing, and regular contributions, “could give households the potential for greater returns”.

Also commenting on the threshold hike, Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said that it’s right that the government ensures employees and sole traders can keep more of what they earn.

However, she added: “That said, memories haven’t faded of the tax hikes that landed in April, which today’s changes only partially unwind. These adjustments shouldn’t be seen in isolation, we still face a higher tax burden than we did in March.

“Higher Employer NICs rates still mean less money in the economy for pay rises, let alone sustainable investment, recruitment and discretionary spending.

“Though the Employment Allowance marks a vital relief on Employer NICs, and we’d encourage all small firms to check their eligibility, we need to see government go much further in addressing the cost of doing business crisis that underlies the cost of living emergency.”

Ms McKenzie continued: “Amid surging fuel prices, spiralling energy bills, higher debt costs, a weakened pound, supply chain disruption, labour shortages and new trade paperwork, firms are still faced with the biggest tax burden since the late 1940s.

“Taxes which are levied with no regard for profitability or ability to pay – not least business rates, NICs, VAT and fuel duty – are really hurting firms at the moment.”

She concluded: “Doing more to alleviate their impact on margins would go a long way to helping small businesses, many of which are hanging by a thread.”