New figures released by Lewisham Labour reveal that families in Lewisham are facing a £35,900,000 NICs hike thanks to the latest Tory tax rise. Under the Conservative’s plans to raise National Insurance this April, the average worker in Lewisham will pay an extra £338 in NICs alone.

The increase pushes taxes up to a 70-year high – and comes at a time when energy bills are set to rise by almost £700 and inflation is at a 30-year high.

Publishing the figures, Labour’s Cllr Amanda de Ryk, Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources at Lewisham Council said:

“Families in Lewisham are facing a cost of living crisis, yet incredibly, instead of helping people get by, the Conservatives are making things worse by raising taxes – at the worst possible time.

“Energy prices are soaring, inflation is the highest it’s been in decades and families are struggling to make ends meet. This government will happily write-off billions in fraud and waste, but when it comes to the people of Lewisham, the Conservatives tell us they need a £35,900,000 tax hike, but won’t even consider a one-off windfall tax on North Sea Oil & Fossil Fuel companies despite record breaking profits.

“The truth is, Boris Johnson’s government is so focussed on defending their own indefensible law breaking they are failing at the basics. With energy bills soaring they force families to take a loan, and with the cost of living crisis deepening they force workers and business to pay higher taxes.

“This is a shambles, it’s hurting families in Lewisham and it’s time for a change. Labour would scrap the National Insurance tax hike and offer families real support with their energy bills, it’s a terrible shame this government is too chaotic to do the same.”