Ms Lockhart said: “I find it deeply frustrating that a senior Treasury Minister appears to have such a limited understanding of what it means to own and operate a small business.

“Across my Upper Bann constituency, there are thousands of businesses run by self-employed people who work tirelessly, often putting in long hours, to build something for themselves and provide for their families. These are working people in every sense of the word.

“They include electricians, plumbers, hairdressers, builders, shopkeepers, hospitality businesses, manufacturers and countless other entrepreneurs who keep our local economy moving. Many also employ local people, providing jobs, paying wages and making a significant contribution to their communities.”

The MP added: “Does Emma Reynolds seriously believe that the owner of a small building firm who is on site from early morning, answering customer calls late into the evening, doing the paperwork at night and worrying about keeping enough work coming in to pay their employees is somehow not a working person?

“The same applies to farmers. The former DEFRA secretary’s reckless remarks on live television have fuelled considerable frustration and anger from those in the agricultural sector.

“Farming families work incredibly long hours, often seven days a week, in all weathers, carrying enormous financial responsibilities, with many employing people in rural communities. To suggest that they fall outside the definition of working people is deeply demoralising.”

During an interview about the Budget with GB News, Ms Reynolds said: “I don’t think employers are working people. They are companies.”

Carla Lockhart MP said: “Farmers are grafting from dawn until dusk, managing livestock, producing food, caring for the countryside and dealing with ever-increasing costs and regulation. Many farm businesses are operated by sole traders or family partnerships who take significant financial risks to keep their farms viable and their employees in work.

“The Treasury secretary’s comments are difficult to comprehend, especially as they come against a backdrop of mounting financial pressure on businesses. Labour's increases to the national minimum wage, alongside higher employer national insurance contributions and other rising employment costs, are adding to the burden facing employers.”

She added: “Small businesses cannot simply absorb every additional cost. They have difficult decisions to make about recruitment, investment, overhead costs and whether they can afford to continue employing people. These are real pressures affecting real working families and local businesses.

“Of course, there is a distinction between an employer and an employee when it comes to employment responsibilities and taxation. But that does not mean the person who owns and runs a business is not working. “

Ms Lockhart continued: “His Majesty’s Treasury may wish to clarify what the Minister meant, but the fact that she made these remarks in the first place is concerning anyone who cares about the contribution made by small businesses and family enterprises.

“Government should be recognising and supporting the people who create jobs, employ local people, pay taxes and contribute to our economy.



“Small business owners, farmers and the self-employed are working people. They deserve respect, recognition and a government that understands the realities of running a business rather than adding to the challenges they already face.”