A government minister has defended national insurance rises after an 89-year-old bakery chain co-owned by comedian Romesh Ranganathan ceased trading.
Coughlans Bakery, which had branches in Kent, Surrey, West Sussex and south London, announced it had closed on Tuesday, blaming the government’s decision to hike business rates and national insurance contributions for employers.
The bakery’s managing director Sean Coughlan said the rates “absolutely smashed local business”.
Commons Leader Sir Alan Campbell defended the change on Thursday, saying it was needed to “spend more and invest in our public services”.
Ranganathan became the bakery’s co-owner in 2024 and following the business’ voluntary liquidation said “gutted isn’t the word”.
The…