Tatton MP Esther McVey has called on Chancellor John Healey to clarify whether he thinks employers are working people after one of his ministers came under fire for suggesting they were not.
At the weekend Treasury Minister Emma Reynolds said in an interview: "I don’t think employers are working people; they are companies".
Speaking in Parliament, Ms McVey said: “At the weekend the Chancellor said the Budget would provide breathing space for families and working people. So, can he tell the House, does he agree with his minister (Emma Reynolds) who thinks employers are not working people.”
In response the Chancellor said of employers: “Of course they are.”
The comments from Ms Reynolds have drawn widespread criticism from opposition parties on Labour’s definition of a “working person.”
Ms McVey added: “People who run businesses across Tatton are very much working people. They work tirelessly to build their businesses, keep people in employment, all while being hit with continued attacks from this Labour government. It beggars belief that a Treasury Minister can claim employers are not working people. It just shows how little understanding this government has.”
