Letter to MP - Indian Trade Deal - Disadvantaged British workers

 Dear [MP's Name],

I am writing to express my serious concerns regarding the recent trade deal with India, and its potential impact on British workers.

I understand the government's aim to foster stronger trade relationships and boost the economy. However, I am deeply troubled by aspects of this deal that appear to disadvantage British workers and create an uneven playing field.

Specifically, I am very concerned about the provisions that exempt Indian workers from paying National Insurance contributions for a period of time. My understanding is that this could incentivise employers to hire workers from India over British workers, as they represent a lower cost due to the absence of these contributions.

British workers are required to pay National Insurance, contributing to vital services such as the NHS and state pensions. It seems fundamentally unfair that foreign workers, even if temporarily employed, are not held to the same financial obligations. This creates a situation where British workers are effectively more expensive to employ, potentially putting their jobs at risk.

I believe this aspect of the trade deal could have several negative consequences:

• Job displacement: British workers may be unfairly disadvantaged in the job market, leading to potential unemployment.

• Reduced contributions: The overall contributions to National Insurance could decrease, potentially impacting the funding of essential public services.

• Undermining the principle of equal contribution: It creates a two-tier system where some workers contribute to the system while others do not, undermining the principle of fairness.

I urge you to consider the following:

• Re-examine the National Insurance exemption: I request that the government urgently re-examine the provisions regarding National Insurance exemptions for foreign workers and consider the long-term consequences for British workers.

• Prioritise British workers: I believe that any trade deal should prioritise the interests of British workers and ensure they are not disadvantaged.

• Transparency and accountability: I request full transparency regarding the economic impact assessments conducted before this trade deal was finalised, particularly concerning the impact on employment and National Insurance contributions.

I would appreciate it if you would raise these concerns with the relevant government ministers and provide me with a detailed response outlining the steps you and the government will take to address these issues.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[Your Postcode]

[Your Email Address]

[Your Phone Number (Optional)]