Michael White's diary: Cameron's favouring some very small businesses. Bottles of Fairy Liquid all round

So you only need a cleaner once a week to clean up from the PM's employment allowance. A Charlie Brooks could be just the way to celebrate

A wholesome tip for hard-pressed employers or a new low in political PR? You decide. But David Cameron has just signed off on almost 2 million letters reminding small businesses and charities that they may qualify for up to £2,000 worth in national insurance rebates. Under the new employment allowance they can use their share of a £2bn tax cut to hire new staff or invest. "Britain through some very tough years endured one of the biggest bank bailouts long term plan private sector-led recovery [etc etc]" Dave's feelgood letter reads like a Tory party election leaflet. But it's a government document on Downing Street notepaper, paid for by guess who (you). It's also gone to some very small employers indeed: including households whose cleaner comes once a week.

Continue reading...