Business leaders under pressure are becoming increasingly vocal in their criticism of what they see as a high-tax Government. 

Patrick Dardis, chief executive of Young’s pub chain, warned that the “the rise in national insurance was ridiculous at the time, it now seems like utter madness”. 

He said it was “an awful decision when businesses and jobs and the economy and millions of ordinary folk are brought to their knees.”

Advertising guru Sir Martin Sorrell said “this Conservative government is already the highest tax government we have had for some time, so it’s a conundrum.” However, given the deficit, “you have got to try and balance the books, so you probably have to go ahead with the tax increases.”

A Government spokesman said: “We’ve supported businesses throughout the pandemic through our nearly £400bn package of support, and will continue to do so.

“The Health and Social Care Levy will provide a necessary, permanent source of funding needed to support the NHS and fix the social care system. It’s right that employers, who benefit from a healthy workforce, contribute to the levy so the costs are more widely shared.”