We urge Parliament to exempt SMEs from the planned NI threshold cut and employer NI rate increase. Lowering the threshold from £9,100 to £5,000 and raising the rate to 15% would cost SMEs £16.7 billion, equivalent to £1,000 per minimum-wage worker. This risks job cuts and closures across a sector employing 16.7 million people, which represents 61% of ALL private sector employment.

SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy, yet they’re facing tax burdens they cannot afford. We urge the Government to find fairer solutions that do not destroy SME employment. Taxes on windfall profits for large corporations, taxes on foreign internet retailers and tech giants, taxes on profits not jobs.

SMEs provide millions of jobs and vital services. Supporting them through finding fairer business tax solutions will preserve jobs, support growth, and strengthen communities across the UK.

The SME community is made up of entrepreneurs and ,family businesses from all walks of life.  They have worked extremely hard, often for no or little pay, to establish a business and pay taxes.  Whilst the SME community is fully supportive of paying their fair share, they are being asked to shoulder the greatest burden in history.  Many simply cannot afford it.

Please sign my petition today and show your support for our SME community in the UK.  We plan to take this petition to Parliament and ask them to debate other alternatives to raise the funds they require.