More than two thirds of local small businesses are benefitting from a reduction in national insurance bills, according to MP Harriett Baldwin. The Government introduced a measure earlier this year which allows businesses and charities to reduce their National Insurance bill by £2,000 each year. The measure was introduced to encourage more small businesses to take on extra staff. Harriett this week announced that Treasury figures issued this week show that 1,700 businesses have taken up the offer in her West Worcestershire constituency. Across the UK, 856,000 businesses are now benefitting from the measure and Harriett encouraged the final third of businesses to apply for the reduction. Harriett said: “Most businesses in my constituency are either small or micro businesses so £2,000 can make a huge difference. “The measure will help to make it easier for employers to take on new staff and grow their business. “I am pleased that the take up has been so high in West Worcestershire but I would urge every small business to talk to the tax office or their accountant to make sure they are getting this allowance. “If every small business took on just one member of staff across the constituency, we would end local unemployment altogether. “This measure will help to reduce the financial impact of taking on employees and creating the right conditions to help local businesses to thrive and grow.”