Scottish Conservatives Westminster candidate Lee Lyons has welcomed new figures released showing that 1,100 businesses in Ayr Carrick and Cumnock are benefitting from the Government’s Employment Allowance since its introduction in April.

The tax cut makes it easier for businesses to hire staff and create jobs.

The Employment Allowance is a reduction in National Insurance (NI) Contributions that an employer pays for its employees.

The allowance is worth up to £2,000 off the NI bill of every employer and is open to businesses, charities and community amateur sports clubs.

Using the benefit means a business could now hire someone on £22,400 a year, or four people working full-time on the minimum wage, and not have to pay any employer NI contributions.

This is making it easier for local businesses to grow and create more jobs in Ayr Carrick and Cumnock .

Within the first six months of its launch, over 850,000 employers across the UK, including 68,000 in Scotland, have benefitted from the Employment Allowance.

Lee Lyons said: “This tax cut is a key part of our long-term economic plan to back business and secure a better future for Britain. Already, 1,100 businesses in Ayr Carrick and Cumnock are benefitting from the cut, making it easier for them to hire staff and create jobs."

“We want to make sure that every business in Ayr Carrick and Cumnock that can claim this tax cut does. If you’re not sure how to please contact me to find out more."

“Our long-term economic plan is helping to create jobs by making it easier for businesses to take on new employees. Since the last election, businesses in the UK have created more than two million jobs. "

“We now need to see our long-term economic plan through to deliver economic security and peace of mind for hardworking people in Ayr Carrick and Cumnock .”