Good morning John,

The devastating impact of the Labour Government’s first Budget is being felt across Northern Ireland, and the message from our communities is clear, enough is enough.

On Monday night, over 6,000 people gathered at the Eikon Centre in Lisburn to oppose Rachel Reeves’ inheritance tax policy, a cruel and unnecessary blow to family farms. This extraordinary turnout sent a powerful signal that rural Northern Ireland will not stand idly by as Labour punishes the very people who feed our nation.

As our agri-food spokesperson Carla Lockhart MP addressed the crowd and spoke about the challenges faced by farmers, unionist and nationalist farmers stood to their feet to applaud. These attacks on the rural economy are not orange or green but only the DUP has been consistent in standing up for our farmers in Parliament. More and more people in our rural communities are now recognising our efforts.

This outrage in our agri-food sector is shared across the United Kingdom. On Tuesday, I stood shoulder to shoulder with farmers from every corner of the country to deliver a resounding message to the Chancellor: Back down, Rachel Reeves. Do what is right for farmers, food production, and the survival of our rural communities.

But this attack on family farms is only the tip of the iceberg.

Labour’s Budget also hits businesses of every size with its deeply flawed decision to increase employers’ National Insurance contributions. This reckless policy makes it more expensive for businesses to employ staff, forcing them into an impossible position.  They either cut jobs or raise prices.

The consequences are dire. Many local employers have told me they have no choice but to reduce staff numbers, as passing on costs to already-struggling customers would destroy their competitiveness. 

This means lost jobs, shattered livelihoods, and a blow to families who rely on these incomes to make ends meet.

And the damage doesn’t end there. Labour’s policies are hammering the public sector too. Councils across Northern Ireland are facing an additional £12 million in costs from increased National Insurance contributions, while the Northern Ireland Civil Service will be hit with a £20 million bill. Guess who pays the price? Every single ratepayer when their next bill arrives.

This is the reality of Labour’s so-called ‘fairness’.

It is an ideological and vindictive attack on employers dressed up as reform. These measures target ambition, punish hard work, and threaten the lifeblood of our economy, family businesses.

There is nothing fair about undermining the enterprise, determination, and grit that drive our economy forward. Northern Ireland’s farmers and small business owners deserve support.  They should not be taxed to death by a government interested in pursuing socialist ideology.

With Labour’s overwhelming majority, reversing these disastrous policies will not be easy. But the DUP will not stand by and watch as Northern Ireland’s backbone, our farmers, workers, and entrepreneurs, are broken by ideological dogma.

We will fight these unjust measures tooth and nail. Our message to Labour is simple, stop punishing those who work hard, take risks, and contribute to society. Stop taxing our family businesses to death. 

Northern Ireland deserves better, and we will continue to fight for policies that deliver real fairness for all.

Thank you,

Gavin Robinson MP
DUP Leader