AN EAST Lancashire businessman has expressed concern over Government plans to raise employers’ national insurance contributions.

Chancellor Alistair Darling wants to hike up NI by one per cent from next year, a move that has been attacked by leading national business leaders.

And David Fishwick, owner of a van dealership in North Valley Road, Colne, said: “I don’t think it should be raised.

“I think they should hold everything and wait for things to get back to normal.

“It is completely the wrong thing to do to increase it now.”

Norman Tenray, boss of Longridge building supplies firm OBAS, also expressed concerns over the rise.