§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he has any plans to seek to abolish the employers' national insurance contributions for all workers under 20 years of age; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he has any plans to seek powers to waive the employers' national insurance contribution for an employer who employs those who have been unemployed for 12 months or longer; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he has any plans to seek powers to waive the employers' national insurance contribution for a full year for employees taken on over the age of 55 years.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have no plans to do as my hon. Friend suggests. By abolishing the national insurance surcharge, which was introduced in 1977 by the previous Government, we have already substantially reduced employers' costs and thereby encouraged them to take on more staff. The contribution for employers who are not contracted-out has been reduced from 13.5 per cent. in 1979 to 10.45 per cent. today.