Battle lines drawn as peers demand exemptions from employers’ tax hike

The legislation will batted between the two Houses of Parliament until agreement is reached (Nick Ansell/PA) - (PA Archive)

Peers have set the stage for a showdown with the Government in demanding exemptions from a major tax hike for a range of groups, including GP practices, hospices, charities and small businesses.

The House of Lords inflicted a string of defeats against the Labour front bench in seeking carveouts from the employers’ national insurance increase set to come into force from April.