Labour minister sparks MORE Budget fury after claiming bosses are not ‘working people’

18 comments 18 Next A LABOUR minister has sparked fury after claiming bosses are not “working people”. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds insisted employers did not count because they were “companies” – reigniting a bitter row over Labour’s tax promises. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds Credit: PA Chancellor John Healey delivered his Budget last week Credit: PA Advertisement She told GB News: “I don’t think employers are working people, they are companies.”

And when challenged on whether someone who employs a cleaner is therefore not a working person, she insisted there was “a difference between employers and employees”. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. Her remarks sparked a furious backlash from Tories, who accused Labour of insulting hardworking small business owners.

Shadow business minister Bradley Thomas blasted: “Labour’s patronising, out-of-touch, politics of envy on display here from Minister Emma Reynolds. READ MORE ON POLITICS POLL PANIC Labour MPs put staff on standby for snap May general election SNEAKY SQUEEZE Labour’s £71bn stealth tax raid to drag 13MILLION Brits into paying more “What about the thousands of small businesses who employ people? The electrician who works but takes on apprentices?

The florist who runs her shop and has a young person work a few hours on weekends? “The list is endless and so is Labour’s vindictiveness and denial of reality.” And former minister Helen Whately fumed: “This attitude is why Labour is killing our economy. They don’t understand businesses are built by hard graft. By working people.” The row revives a long-running battle over exactly who Labour considers a “working person”. Advertisement Most read in The Sun ROT & RUIN Our seaside town has been decimated by abandoned Pontins ringing with GUNSHOTS HALLOWEEN CHAOS Moment yobs launch fireworks in UK city centre as boy, 15, among 7 arrested SHOW OF FORCE Kim Jong-un tests cluster bomb warheads capable of 'turning targets into ash' MOM'S PAIN Baby dies after swallowing balloon at Halloween party days before first birthday The party swept to power in 2024 promising not to raise taxes on working people, including income tax, VAT and National Insurance.

But just months later, then-Chancellor Rachel Reeves hiked employers’ National Insurance contributions, prompting accusations that Labour had broken its manifesto pledge. Ministers insisted the promise had not been breached because the rise hit employers rather than employees. And the definition has remained a political headache ever since, with senior Labour figures offering different explanations of who qualifies. Ms Reynolds defended the Government’s record, insisting it had not increased the headline rates of income tax, VAT or National Insurance for employees.

Advertisement Her comments came just days after Chancellor John Healey’s first Budget slapped an extra 2p income tax on landlords and savers from April 2027. But Ms Reynolds insisted the tax rises were “targeted and fair”, pointing to the Chancellor’s £100 energy handout for millions of households and extended fuel duty cut. 18 comments 18