Keir Starmer scolded by Tory minister over UK-India agreement: ‘Another two-tier deal!’
Conservative Shadow Policing Minister Matt Vickers has criticised the Government’s trade deal with India, claiming it will disadvantage British workers.
Speaking to GB News, Vickers argued that the agreement negotiated by Labour creates an unfair system.
“When Labour negotiates, Britain loses,” he declared.
Vickers welcomed increased global trade opportunities but expressed concern about “where this deal has got to.”
Matt Vickers hit out at Labour’s ‘two-tier’ trade deal with India, claiming that when ‘Labour negotiates, Britain loses’
PA / GB News
A Brexit trade deal with India has been agreed in multi-billion-pound boost to UK
Reuters
“It’s a lose, lose for British taxpayers,” Vickers claimed.
He emphasised that employers of British workers will continue paying National Insurance contributions: “In fact, they’re paying 20 per cent more. They’re paying a fortune in tax now, thanks to Labour’s jobs tax,” he said.
Meanwhile, those bringing in Indian workers “will be paying less,” according to Vickers.
“It’s completely wrong. It’s not what people out there voted for. It’s not what people out there want.”
Vickers told GB News that the deal is ‘not what people voted for’
GB News
Vickers argued the arrangement creates a perverse incentive in the labour market.
“Those bringing transferring Indian workers into this country will be paying less, disincentivising people to come here and employ British workers,” he explained.
Defending his deal in Prime Minister’s Questions today, Sir Keir Starmer said the agreement with India is a “huge win” for British workers.
He told MPs: “The landmark deal we have secured with India is a huge win for working people in this country. After years of negotiation, this Government has delivered in months slashing tariffs, boosting wages, unleashing opportunities for UK businesses. It’s the biggest trade deal the UK has delivered since we left the EU.”
