Alan Johnson has been dogged by claims that he is not knowledgeable enough to be an effective opponent to George Osborne in times of economic hardship.
His latest slip was seized upon by both Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats as an example of his lightweight ability.
Mr Johnson appeared on Sky News on Sunday to criticise the Coalition Government’s announcement that VAT will rise to 20 per cent, a move he described as “fiscal fundamentalism”.
Labour wants to increase national insurance as a way of tackling the deficit.
Accused of being an economic “novice”, Mr Johnson said: “The accusation of economic novice is that when you take over a new job, you have to ensure that you bone up on these things.”
A few seconds later, presenter Dermot Murnaghan asked the shadow minister to give the current rate of employers’ national insurance contributions.
Mr Johnson tried to avoid the question before he said it would increase by one per cent, rising from 20 per cent to 21 per cent.
Mr Murnaghan interrupted, to say: “Sorry, National Insurance, employers' secondary class one-rate for employers, stands at the moment at …?”
There was an awkward pause where Mr Johnson appeared unable to answer before the presenter came to his rescue, telling him the figure of 12.8 per cent.
Mr Murnaghan went on: “Right, OK, I helped you out there. Just out of interest, there is still a lot to learn for you in terms of the job.”
The shadow chancellor replied: “There's not a lot to learn about how we tackle this deficit.”
Source: Alan Johnson struggles over National Insurance rates on live television - Telegraph
Shadow Chancellor does not know what NI rate is, but he wants to get it up by 1 per cent!!!
His latest slip was seized upon by both Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats as an example of his lightweight ability.
Mr Johnson appeared on Sky News on Sunday to criticise the Coalition Government’s announcement that VAT will rise to 20 per cent, a move he described as “fiscal fundamentalism”.
Labour wants to increase national insurance as a way of tackling the deficit.
Accused of being an economic “novice”, Mr Johnson said: “The accusation of economic novice is that when you take over a new job, you have to ensure that you bone up on these things.”
A few seconds later, presenter Dermot Murnaghan asked the shadow minister to give the current rate of employers’ national insurance contributions.
Mr Johnson tried to avoid the question before he said it would increase by one per cent, rising from 20 per cent to 21 per cent.
Mr Murnaghan interrupted, to say: “Sorry, National Insurance, employers' secondary class one-rate for employers, stands at the moment at …?”
There was an awkward pause where Mr Johnson appeared unable to answer before the presenter came to his rescue, telling him the figure of 12.8 per cent.
Mr Murnaghan went on: “Right, OK, I helped you out there. Just out of interest, there is still a lot to learn for you in terms of the job.”
The shadow chancellor replied: “There's not a lot to learn about how we tackle this deficit.”
Source: Alan Johnson struggles over National Insurance rates on live television - Telegraph
Shadow Chancellor does not know what NI rate is, but he wants to get it up by 1 per cent!!!
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