总理雷切尔·里夫斯为2024年NI加薪辩护, 引用NHS资金, 尽管批评它恶化了青年失业. Chancellor Rachel Reeves defends 2024 NI hike, citing NHS funding, despite criticism it worsened youth unemployment.

Rachel Reeves总理承认批评说,2024年雇主的全国保险涨幅可能使青年失业率恶化,2023年后期,16至24岁者失业人数达到957,000人。 Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged criticism that the 2024 employers’ national insurance hike may have worsened youth unemployment, which hit 957,000 for those aged 16 to 24 in late 2023. 她认为这一行动对于资助290亿英镑的国民保健制度年度增支至关重要,并列举了等候名单和劳动生产率的好处。 She defended the move as essential to fund a £29 billion annual NHS boost, citing benefits for waiting lists and workforce productivity. 政府正在扩大学徒制,并启动一项青年保障,在18个月离开教育或就业后提供有偿工作。 The government is expanding apprenticeships and launching a youth guarantee offering paid work after 18 months out of education or employment. 然而,据商业团体报告,增税损害了雇用,一些公司裁员和暂停培训,特别是对从事非全时工作的年轻人,有效税率大幅上升。 However, business groups report the tax rise has hurt hiring, with some firms cutting staff and pausing training, especially for young people in part-time roles, where effective tax rates rose sharply.