Forum Topic

Free Trade Deal With India

In an unprecedented achievement, India has secured an exemption for Indian workers who are temporarily in the UK, and their employers from paying social security contributions in the UK for a period of three years under the Double Contribution Convention. This will make Indian service providers significantly more competitive in the U.K.  More details below:Fury as employers who hire Indian workers are given a major tax break under Labour's free trade dealhttps://mol.im/a/14683447Farage statement below:https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FN3DvkdVr/?

Sue Hammond ● 55d14 Comments

A more positive reflection on the last time there was a mass immigration of Indians into the UK, and when asylum was a necessary and generous process and decision carried out by the then Conservative Government that changed British society for the good.https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/bring-on-the-indian-invasion/Not so certain that the 'boat people' are of the same calibre.

John Hawkes ● 54d

Mr Ixer'I knew the Empire was history in the 1970s and world orders were changing - which is why India launches satellites for UK companies rather than vice versa?'Indeed yet still maintains a rigid caste system that deems some to be 'untouchables'.They are the ones that empty the latrines I believe.But pleased to see you acknowledge that our Imperial Rule of India not only tried to disable this system but also brought the people to such a high point of technological advancement.

John Hawkes ● 54d

Mr Ixer'jugaad'. Thank you for yet another example that shows how widespread is your knowledge.One should always bear this in mind when challenging you for such will always give you the last word.As regards those NI exempt Indian immigrants, I would expect most of them to swell the crowd of L-plated moped riders parked outside Greggs in Wimbledon waiting to make a home delivery than to hear of them setting up a space-tech company.But I am sure you will put me right.

John Hawkes ● 54d

Mr Ixer'With regards to checking whether these temporary workers qualify for free NHS services I assume it will be the same as for checking whether Europeans are visitors or have settled status, or are a US tourist, etc? I've seen people in my doctor's surgery being asked to produce documents when they want to register as a patient'.So I can assume that everyone at the George's clinic I attended yesterday has been checked and found to be qualified to see a specialist.Apart from myself and one other, of a group of c.30 patients, none were speaking English and one needed a translator.You might say we should be proud our InterNHS is so accommodating of the sick and needy from around the world.For an old curmudgeon like myself I just peruse the fact that I have paid NI and higher rate tax to support the NHS for around 50 years and wonder how much they have chipped in.

John Hawkes ● 54d

Mr Ixer'reliable contact on Facebook'.Is there such a thing ?

John Hawkes ● 54d

Mr Ixer'The deal is with India, a predominantly Hindu country, which has just launched attacks against Muslim terrorist groups in Pakistan'. Somewhat like Israel attacking Hamas in Gaza ?

John Hawkes ● 54d

Mr Hawkes. Lots of posts, only had time to skim them. My original point came via a usually reliable contact on Facebook. Do you have any evidence it's incorrect? I suspect you could Google the answers to most of your questions youself, such as the population of India, so I'll assume you can do that? With regards to checking whether these temporary workers qualify for free NHS services I assume it will be the same as for checking whether Europeans are visitors or have settled status, or are a US tourist, etc? I've seen people in my doctor's surgery being asked to produce documents when they want to register as a patient. I haven't checked the details of these temporary visas, better things to do, but I assume there are restrictions - might be useful if some of those coming here could instruct our own technologist in the jugaad philosophy. Then perhaps we could develop our own space launch vehicles and OneWeb wouldn't need to rely on ISRO?I'm puzzled by your references to the Empire; a bit of whataboutery on your part? I knew the Empire was history in the 1970s and world orders were changing - which is why India launches satellites for UK companies rather than vice versa?

Michael Ixer ● 54d

Sue, I don't quite see the relevance of this to the Indian trade deal? The deal is with India, a predominantly Hindu country, which has just launched attacks against Muslim terrorist groups in Pakistan. Have I missed something?

Michael Ixer ● 54d

The link between NI contributions and pension/ pensions is very weak. So this does indeed look like a tax break for onboarding India workers.Apparently India is not the only country with this NI deal. It makes sense whyIndia should push for it.The fault is with the UK and it's tax system.Paying NI does not guarantee a pension. The money goes into general taxation and when or if you reach the fluid retirement age the amount you receive if any, is dependent upon the government of the day.Let's not forget employers national insurance too, which is merely an employment tax.Governments should have included NI in income tax long ago. Another Thatcher and son of mess!The government is also arguing for IR35, brought in by Labour, but exempting other short term employment contracts.Surely tax rules should be transparent and consistent. Gordon Brown onwards have done the complete opposite of what is needed. Hunt at least started to tidy things up.

Ed Robinson ● 54d

Starmer is disproportionately supportive of the Muslim collective in particular which is why he has tried so hard to bury the Pakistani rape gangs scandal, and is gaslighting everybody who is demanding a national inquiry.  He is also too scared of alienating Muslims and losing their votes, plus of course he wouldn't want to upset his Muslim extremely generous benefactor and very close personal friend, Lord Alli.  What hold does this man have over him I wonder?🤔

Sue Hammond ● 54d

Mr Ixerhttps://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-real-bravery-behind-the-india-trade-deal/'An obvious loser from this deal is the British worker. Fresh from having his employer’s national insurance contributions (NICs) hiked (BY CHANCELLOR REEVES), and perhaps out of a job as a result, he will now have to compete in the labour market with Indians who will be exempted from personal and employer NICs for three years. If Candidate A, a UK national, and Candidate B, an Indian migrant, go for the same job, with the same skills, same qualifications, and same length of experience, it will be cheaper to hire Candidate B. Purely because they are Indian rather than British'.And presumably once hired, these Indian workers will be protected by Labour's 'Employment Rights Bill' which will "ban exploitative zero-hours contracts, end fire and rehire, and introduce basic employment rights from day one - like paternity and parental leave, and protection from unfair dismissal. It also introduces right to bereavement leave from day one". The Empire Stikes Back !

John Hawkes ● 55d

Ms Hammond'In an unprecedented achievement, India has secured an exemption for Indian workers who are temporarily in the UK, and their employers from paying social security contributions in the UK for a period of three years under the Double Contribution Convention. This will make Indian service providers significantly more competitive in the U.K.'Well we all know that Starmer and the Labour Party are more concerned with supporting the oppressed from other lands than they are of indigenous Britons.Still it will not be forgotten and will come back to haunt them at the next general Election.Perhaps not Starmer personally as he will have retired back to Doughty Street Chambers which is renowned for its work human rights issues (primarily those of non-British citizens).

John Hawkes ● 55d

Mr Ixer'My understanding is that these temporary workers won't quality for free NHS treatment or any state pension contributions so as that's what National Insurance is intended to pay for this doesn’t seem unreasonable. So presumably health costs and any private pension contributions will need to be covered by employers or employees.'1) What is your source for this statement ?2) How will these workers be distinguished from those in this country of Indian ancestry that have proper residency qualification ?3) Are you suggesting that were any of these people to turn up at a NHS facility they would be turned away ?4) If an employer chooses not to pay NI contribution and the  employee is not bothered, does that not make that person cheaper to employ and put him/her at an advantage over others ?5) What's the population of India ?Why are lefties like you always so patronisingly critical and unsupportive of and condescending towards indigenous Britons and so sweetly supportive of those that are citizens of other countries ? The Empire is over if you have not noticed.

John Hawkes ● 55d

My understanding is that these temporary workers won't quality for free NHS treatment or any state pension contributions so as that's what National Insurance is intended to pay for this doesn’t seem unreasonable. So presumably health costs and any private pension contributions will need to be covered by employers or employees. Another case of Mr Farage not checking - or deliberately skewing - the facts?Perhaps Sir Kier should be congratulated for completing a deal that previous goverments failed to do? Next deal, a proper post Brexit deal with the EU that aids British businesses in Europe? Even the US, although their dubious agricultural standards might make that problematic - but perhaps RFK jnr will applaud our stance on food safety and healthy eating ...The previous government's sensible decision to re-associate with the Horizon programme seems to have been successful, so more deals with the EU seems a sensible move:https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/05/british-scientists-eu-horizon-research-funding-programme

Michael Ixer ● 55d