Tycoons who backed NI cut to be made Tory peers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two of the prominent business leaders who backed the Tory plans for a National Insurance cut are to be made Conservative peers, it was disclosed.
The Guardian reported that the appointments of Next chief executive Simon Wolfson and JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford had been approved by the appointments commission and would be announced "imminently".
The Conservatives last night confirmed their names had been submitted to Downing Street at the start of the year, but denied they were in any way linked to the campaign against the Government's planned National Insurance (NI) rise.
"Any suggestion that the new peerages are linked to the campaign against Labour's jobs tax is complete nonsense," a spokesman said.
"The names were sent to Downing Street in January, long before the campaign started or was even envisaged."
Both men are long-standing Tory supporters and significant donors to the party.
Mr Wolfson was reportedly active in organising the first of the round-robin letters, signed by business leaders, backing the Tory plan for £6 billion of efficiency savings in order to scrap most of the NI increase.
The issue dominated the first week of campaigning in the General Election, forcing Labour onto the back foot.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments