A small business owner says the two per cent cut to National Insurance is a "step in the right direction" and will enable her to hire staff.

Chris Myers, 63, hosts craft days from her home and says the announcement will allow her to rent a space and hire staff to grow her business.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced that National Insurance will be cut by 2p from April 6, 2024.

This means that someone on an average salary will save £450-a-year.

Chris, a small business owner, from Gerrards Cross, Bucks, said: "This is wonderful. That is fantastic news that will make a big difference to people.

"It will be a great incentive - it is a step in the right direction."

Chris has been running Cosy Club since 2008 to raise money for the children's cancer charity, William's Fund.

She said: “We wanted to raise money for children with cancer. I started doing fairs from my house. I thought to myself it would be interesting to teach.”

Chris said that the cut to National Insurance will help her with expanding her business.

She said: “The drop in National Insurance could help us to think about hiring. If I want to expand and employ people it would help in profits.”

The government’s decision to maintain the freeze on the current tax threshold could also help her to expand her business.

She said: “If the Chancellor could maintain the freeze on the current threshold that would help because at the moment it’s just a self-assessment.

“I always think I would love to rent somewhere, but to be able to afford to start a business is just insane.

“It’s just one of those things that doesn't make sense to do as it’s a lot of work and effort to do for something.

“The personal threshold, or £12,500, is tax-free and if that is held or lowered, then I could possibly think about doing it.”