May agrees to delay legislation over tax rise for self-employed after Tory revolt

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Theresa May said on Thursday she will delay legislating to implement a controversial national insurance rise for self-employed workers until the autumn, after a public rebellion by senior Conservatives, including a government minister.

The measure was a centrepiece of Philip Hammond’s first budget, which had appeared to be unravelling on Thursday, as a series of MPs voiced concern about the policy.

Speaking at a European summit in Brussels, May offered a robust defence of the policy, saying it would make the tax system “simpler, fairer and more progressive” and did not breach a Conservative manifesto pledge not to raise national insurance.

But she caved in to a demand from Tory rebels not to legislate on the issue until the autumn, when Hammond is due to deliver another budget.

The prime minister told reporters: “It won’t be part of the finance bill. That is always what happens with national insurance changes. Those elements will be brought forward in the autumn.”