Cameron: Ex-PM appears to say breaking manifesto pledge is 'stupidity'
According to a lip reader, the former PM, speaking of a disputed NI hike, says: "Breaking a manifesto promise, that's stupidity."
Friday 10 March 2017 11:15, UK
David Cameron appears to have been caught saying that the Government had broken an election pledge with a controversial National Insurance hike, adding: "That's stupidity".
The former prime minister was caught on video as he was speaking to the Defence Secretary during a ceremony for a new monument dedicated to personnel killed in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
According to a professional lip reader, Mr Cameron said: "Breaking a manifesto promise, that's stupidity."
The hike in National Insurance (NI) contributions for high-earning self-employed people, announced by the Chancellor in the Budget, has caused a political storm.
The move appears to break a 2015 election manifesto commitment to a "five-year tax lock" not to increase income tax, VAT or NI.
Mr Cameron had himself made the promise during the electoral campaign.
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The Government has faced a Tory backbench revolt, leading Theresa May to bow to pressure.
While the PM has defended the measure, in a concession to the rebels she retreated on when the changes will be introduced.
Under the measure, class 4 contributions, which are paid by those with profits of £8,060 or more a year, will rise by 1% to 10% in 2018, with a further 1% increase in 2019.
A reduction in the tax-free allowance for dividends was also seen as hurting the self-employed.
Philip Hammond has defended the hike as a "right and fair" move that will help the Government steer Britain through an uncertain future following Brexit.