Why Rishi Sunak thinks national insurance should be abolished

PoliticsTechnology
23 Apr 2026 • 8:44 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Why Rishi Sunak thinks national insurance should be abolished

  • Rishi Sunak has proposed gradually abolishing National Insurance contributions to address concerns about artificial intelligence impacting youth employment.
  • The former prime minister, an AI enthusiast and adviser to AI firms, stated that bosses are privately acknowledging a flattening in recruitment for entry-level jobs due to rapid AI advancement.
  • Sunak suggested replacing National Insurance with taxes on corporate profits, arguing this would make employing people more attractive than solely relying on AI software, which incurs fewer costs for businesses.
  • He warned that individuals are more likely to lose their jobs to someone utilising AI effectively than to AI itself, stressing the importance of 'AI literacy' as a vital skill for the modern workforce.
  • Sunak also highlighted the UK's strong position as an 'AI superpower' and mentioned his collaboration with Labour's David Lammy to encourage investment in the nation's tech sector.

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