Bright Blue

“has called on Andy Burnham to increase the top rate of income tax to 52 per cent.”

“around five million self-employed people would gain access to automatic pension enrolment, statutory sick pay and parental leave.”

“the basic rate of income tax would increase from 20 per cent to 31 per cent.”

“the additional rate would increase from 45 per cent to 52 per cent.”

“introducing a new 13 per cent income tax band covering earnings between £5,000 and £12,570.”

“a self-employed person earning £39,000 currently pays around £1,587 in National Insurance.”

“an employee earning the same salary and their employer together pay approximately £7,214 in National Insurance contributions.”

“creates a gap in the system worth around £10billion.”

“The self-employed account for around 13 per cent of the British workforce.”

“During the 2024-25 tax year, the median net annual earnings of a full-time self-employed worker were £22,800 compared with £29,000 for a full-time employee.”