
1. A fill-in-the-blank book for your bestie if your goal is to bring a tear to their eye. Fill it up with funny, sweet, thoughtful things about your friendship, and don't forget to grab a tissue before you read through it together! Promising review: "Absolutely loved this. It took a little bit of time to fill it out but it was fun reflecting back on the years. My friend absolutely loved it and said she'd treasure it always. I love how despite its small size, the pages are thick and it seems like it will last for the rest of her life and maybe beyond." — Lily Price: $9.95 (also available in other designs , including one for your partner , mom , dad , and more) 2. A darling embroidered bookmark any avid reader is sure to cherish. This is not only the perfect combo of beautiful and useful, but the monogram detail will also make it feel extra special. Promising review: "I gave it as a gift along with a book. The gift was liked very much, and I think because it was monogrammed with her initials, it made it more special. Very inexpensive. Was worth it." — Donna Faulkner Price: $6.98 (available in letters A–Z and four styles) 3. A Breakfast at Tiffany's -inspired eye mask that your glamorous friend who has an Audrey Hepburn canvas print hanging in their apartment will 100% appreciate. This will help them get some shut-eye while also helping them fulfill their fantasy of living in a 1960s rom-com. Promising review: "Comfortable, soft and cute! Gives enough darkness for a peaceful sleep without feeling suffocated like I have with other sleep masks. The elastic is secure but not too tight." — K. Garrett Price: $15.99 4. A customizable Lego bouquet-building set for adults who are both new to Lego building or old pros at it. Not only will it be fun for them to put together, but it'll also serve as a vibrant piece of decor that won't die a couple of days later. Promising review: "These Lego flowers were amazing! I purchased them for my fiancé for Christmas, and we had such a fun time building them together! There is a good variety, getting you lots of different flowers and repetitions of ones that are really nice! For an experienced Lego builder, these are gonna be a super easy build and come together very quickly! For someone not as experienced, it's gonna take a little more time, but is entirely within the realm of reason! Additionally, they look amazing set up and posed! " — Brayden Rozelle Price: $47.99 5. A Silly Poopy's Hide & Seek game that will play hide and seek with your kiddo, so you don't have to. Just hide the rainbow-colored poop toy, and it'll give clues until your little one finds it. Meanwhile, you can enjoy some much-deserved couch time. And let's be honest, what kid won't giggle when they open up a rianbow poop toy?? Check out a TikTok of the Silly Poopy in action. Promising review: "Let me tell you that if you want hours of endless fun of hide and go seek without having to hide yourself, this is a must get! When it's hidden it makes various toot noises and says stuff so the kids know if they are close. And when they find it and press the button to do and sing the silly poopy dance ... even you will dance and sing along!!! Doesn't need batteries and come on, it's poop? Who doesn't think poop and toot noises are funny and if they don't they are lying to themselves. A must-have for fun with your kids without barely doing any work!! " — andrea kelli gorman Price: $9.88 6. The Reverse Coloring Book , a clever way for them to zen out and take some time away from their phone and computer. Instead of adding the color to pages, they add the lines! It's simple yet satisfying, and reviewers are raving about how fun and calming it is. Check out a TikTok of the Reverse Coloring Book in action. Each book includes 50 pages of watercolor art for you to add lines, along with suggestions for what to add if you want a jumping off point. Bonus: the pages are perforated so you can easily tear them out and frame them! Promising review: "Changed my life. So I get anxious doing the adult coloring books. This was so much fun and made me really think outside of the box. I'm not the best at drawing but I felt like I was when I was a kid doodling in my textbooks in school." — Carley C. Price: $9.90 7. A silver cuff with a hidden message perfect for a loved one who needs a little pick-me-up. Plus, this simple accessory will work with almost anyone's style. The bracelet above says, "You are enough." But, there are TONS of other motivating messages to choose from including: "Be amazing today," "Just keep swimming," and "Believe in you like I do." Promising review: "I got this bracelet for a friend who was having a tough time. It is great quality and well made. The engraving is well done! Heavier than I thought it would be! Would order again! Thank you!" — HeatherMarie Price: $12.97+ (available in over 100 designs) 8. A Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza card game perfect for anyone who loves a good game night. Kids and adults alike enjoy this game because it's easy to play and sure to get everyone laughing. You deal all the cards out to your 2–4 players, and everyone keeps their mini-deck face down. Everyone takes a turn putting a card down in the middle of the table, saying one of the words "taco," "cat," "goat," "cheese," and "pizza," in that order. If the picture on your card matches the word that's said, everyone slaps their hand on the card in a pile as quickly as possible. The last person on the pile has to take the stack and add 'em to their cards, and whoever runs out of cards first wins! Promising review: "Fun, clean, family-friendly game. Easy to learn and fun for all ages. Quick games so players can jump in and out or swap. Could easily extend the game with another pack of cards. Lots of laughs! Buying for Christmas gifts this year!" — W M Price: $9.84 9. A bucket list insulated water bottle your frequent flyer family member will be obsessed with. If you know they're on a journey to check off all 50 states, then this gift will be the perfect way for them to keep track of how many places they have left while also keeping them hydrated on their many adventures. Promising review: "This is the perfect water bottle! Perfect size, insulates very well, high quality, beautiful colors on the stickers that adhere very well, and a super fun way to show your travels!! I am running a half marathon in every state - I have received lots of compliments on it!" — Cody Price: $45.99 Also available in a National Parks version ! 10. A stemless wineglass sure to make an a-meow-zing gift for any of your cat-loving colleagues. Promising review: "This is made out of heavy glass, not plastic. It has been through the washer more than a dozen times and the engraving is still intact and looks as great as it did from day one. Got this for my cat-loving wife for Christmas. Success! Always a winner for that cat-lover in your life, including yourself." — Arrr Matey Price: $16.99 11. A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit that comes with everything they need to create a teeny masterpiece on a cozy night at home. Complete with three pre-printed canvases, seven paint pots, a mini brush, and a mini easel, the budding artist on your list will surely get a kick outta this. The kit's three paint-by-number canvases include two landscapes and one portrait of Bob. They'll also get an instruction sheet and a mini book all about Bob! Promising review: "I have to admit I was skeptical because of the price and size. However, I got these for my husband for his birthday (he loves Bob Ross) and What a find!! We had so much fun mixing colors and painting. Would definitely recommend. The fact that they are small makes them even more special. I wish there were more to paint!" — slb m Get it from Amazon for $7.99 . 12. A ridiculously cute Groot flower pot perfect for your friend who cried with you throughout Avengers: Endgame . Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for a coworker who is a fellow Marvel fan and he loved it! I really like that it can be used for so many different things!" — Roberta Bowden Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two designs). 13. The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook by Dinah Bucholz , a ~magical~ book of recipes that'll allow the Potterhead on your list to properly dine like a witch or wizard at Hogwarts. It includes more than 150 easy-to-make recipes, tips, and techniques. It'll teach them how to make everything from treacle tart (Harry's favorite dessert), to Molly Weasley's meat pies, to pumpkin pasties (from the Hogwarts Express cart). Editor's Note: BuzzFeed does not support discriminatory or hateful speech in any form. We stand by the LGBTQ+ community and all fans who found a home in the Harry Potter series and will work to provide a safe space for fans. If you, like us, feel impassioned about trans rights, learn more or donate here . Promising review: "I LOVE THIS. I'm no master chef, but this cookbook might change that: I might even become a master wizard chef! Anyways, the recipes are phenomenal. The book has a bunch of cute references, and my younger siblings go crazy whenever I make something from this book. I most recently made the meat and potato pies, which can be found on page 44." — Tigerlily Price: $13.39 14. A super soft pair of fuzzy slippers with memory foam insoles to give to anyone who just loves to be cozy at home. They'll probably never want to take these things off. In fact, you may want to grab a second pair for yourself! Promising review: "Incredible. Wow. I don't even know where to begin. These slippers are so soft and sturdy. My feet never slide out of them. There's a foam padding for foot support... OMG. I can go on and on. These are incredible. 10/10 recommend for anyone." — NG Price: $14.99+ (available in women's sizes 5–10 and 13 colors) 15. A keychain bracelet that has a card holder so they can keep their keys, ID, and cash handy and easily accessible. This stylish bracelet is much cuter than a basic lanyard and a great gift or stocking stuffer for anyone who just got their license or just got a new car. Promising review: "Bought two bracelets in the denim blue for my teenage granddaughters. They love them and actually said they will wear them out and use them for shopping and when they are driving and don’t want to take a purse. You can fit your driver's license, credit card, and some cash. Teens are hard to buy for, and I came off a winner here!" — Fashionista Grandma Price: $6.99+ (available in 22 colors) 16. A 60-shade eyeshadow palette full of various neutral shades in matte, foil, pearl, and metallic finishes perfect for your makeup-loving friend or sibling. They'll think you spent a pretty penny at Ulta or Sephora on this because of how great the quality is — reviews say the shades are super pigmented, blendable, and long-lasting. Promising review : "This was way better than I expected it to be! More pigmented than some of my 'high-end' eyeshadow palettes. I would most definitely purchase from this company again, and again!!" — Shawna Promising review: "BUY IT! 100% WORTH IT... love the creamy formula, lots of pigment, and it blends so nicely with the other colors in the palette. I recently got the Bare Necessities palette from ColourPop, but this one has 2X as many colors at 1/3 the price, and it isn't as nice as this one in quality, tbh! Back in the day, I owned the original Naked 1, 2, and 3 palettes from Urban Decay, and THESE MATCH THE COLORS PERFECTLY AT A FRACTION OF THE PRICE. Plus, it has the honey and heat versions, too! I will use this every time I do my makeup. " — katherine Price: $11.99+ (available in two options) 17. And a 14-piece rose gold makeup brush set that's great for makeup beginners or those who can do a contour way better than you ever could. This set has almost everything they'll need and it'll look fabulous on their vanity. The bristles are vegan and cruelty-free, made of durable synthetic fiber that's soft and silky! This set will fulfill pretty much all of your makeup needs, including a blending brush, eyebrow brush, eyeshadow brushes, as well as ones suited for eyeliner, contouring, blush, and more. Promising review: "I am a makeup brush fanatic! I own Sigma and Sephora and It Cosmetics brushes, as well as Elf and Real Techniques. I love quality, not brand labels. This is one of the best makeup brush sets I own. There are lots of thick soft hairs in the brush that help to create a smooth flawless looking finish. The handle and ferrule are made of nice materials and lend the brushes the perfect balance of weight right where you need it." — Christina Price: $8.99+ (available in six colors) 18. An extremely delightful boba tea pencil holder perfect for holding their supplies for class, homework, or bullet journaling. This will be a cute and organized way to keep pencils, gel pens, scissors, erasers, and more in one spot. Promising review: "This is super cute! It holds my skinny markers. It came intact. When I saw it I didn't see the pockets — they are farther down and they work. It's worth the $10. I take it to work and get compliments on it. I'm gonna get another one :)." — Kona Price: $6.99+ (available in six colors) 19. A pair of LED light saber chopsticks for anyone who is always watching Star Wars movies on repeat. They definitely won't have to ~force~ a smile when they open this gift! There's a button to turn 'em on and off, and they come with batteries. Here's why BuzzFeed Shopping writer, Emma Lord , loves them: "As you can see from the above GIF, I bought these for myself, and I love them to pieces. TBH, I use them as decor every bit as much as I use them to eat. Sometimes I just keep them in my work area to light them up during the day to feel fancy. They toggle back and forth between a bunch of different colors, like red, blue, yellow, purple, and multicolor, so you can either make them match *or* have a red and blue one together and bring ~balance~ to The Force." Price: $10.97 (available in two styles) 20. A set of 12 handcrafted, moisturizing bath bombs made with natural ingredients, perfect for anyone who loves a good #SelfCareSunday moment. Promising review: "After receiving the first box as a gift, I had to order more. I am a true bath person and have tried bath products across the globe. I can honestly say that these are the absolute best bath bombs I have ever used! The fragrance is incredible and my skin is left soft, not oily. Here comes the part that blew me away: No residue or ring left in my tub! One more thing, the price allows me to order more and give as gifts!" — Pamela Price: $26.80 21. A cozy blanket sweatshirt for the person in your life who is like, always cold and loves to be cozy. Speaking from personal experience, they will want to wear it every day this winter! I LOVE this thing. It allows you to literally wrap yourself in a blanket, but still be able to use your hands, without your poor arm suffering in the cold breeze. I wear this while working from home, watching Netflix, and while taking naps. It's so comfy that there have been times I don't want to take it off when I have to run to the store — the only reason I do is because I don't want it to get dirty. I can't imagine one person who wouldn't be happy to have this wonderful bundle of coziness. Promising review: "To say that it is comfy is more than and understatement. It feels like wearing a soft and warm blanket turned into a hoodie. Because I want to take a nap while wearing, I just put the hood on, tuck my legs in and fall asleep right away, warm and comfortable, no need to wear a blanket over it. Perfect for lazy Sundays!" — Patricia Price: $49.99+ (available in 28 styles) 22. A copy of Nevertheless, She Wore It: 50 Iconic Fashion Moments by Ann Shen , which any fashion-obsessed friend will love to flip through. It'll inspire them to try new styles *and* teach them about powerful, groundbreaking women throughout history. Here's what my colleague, Heather Braga , had to say about the book: "Ann Shen's book, Nevertheless, She Wore It: 50 Iconic Fashion Moments , is jam-packed with stunning illustrations and facts about fabulous women from all around the world. I have a copy and it's something I absolutely treasure — and I learned a lot from it! Anyone would be lucky to receive this book this holiday season!" Price: $14.28 23. A set of three terra-cotta pots with drainage holes and saucers perfect for the plant parent on your list who has more greenery in their home than Poison Ivy does. Promising review: "I love these so much. The depth is perfect for my plants! I never write reviews but had to with these pots because they are stunning and inexpensive ." — Dominique Friend Price: $28.99 (available in four colors and four sizes) 24. A teak bathtub tray so they can have a convenient place to put their book, candle, and beverage while they soak in a luxurious bubble bath. Promising review: "Well made, pretty tray that fits all the way across my tub. Has support for a book or iPad which is great." — Jolene Saiz Price: $55.99 (also available in a bamboo style ) 25. A glass teapot , which comes with a glass infuser that's perfect for loose teas. It's microwave- and stovetop-safe and it's so stinkin' adorable it'll have them begging you to come over for tea parties. Promising review: "I absolutely love my little teapot. I use it on the stovetop ever morning and it is perfect. I have had mine about three weeks now and it’s doing amazing. I love using the hot water first for my morning matcha, then I add the loose tea to the remainder of the hot water for my afternoon tea. It’s perfect for me and despite being worried about putting it on the burner at first, it turns out it’s nothing to be worried about at all. It works and looks super cute!" — Amazon Customer Price: $29.99 26. A CovoBox — it's hollow on the inside, so they can use it to hide any unsightly cords or routers. Instead, it'll look like they have a beautiful collection of perfectly coordinated books. Before adding this to your cart, you have the option to customize it, including selecting from 14 lengths and 15 colors (including custom colors). The CovoBox is made from reclaimed books and sustainable wood. Covogoods is a small family-owned business creating home decor in Utah! Promising review: "I’m pretty sure I’ve never loved a purchase from Amazon as much as I love this one. This product is EXTREMELY well made and very unique. Plus, it does the job of hiding the ugly routers and cords. And the customer service was great and responsive. I was a little hesitant to spend the money on this but after years of living with the husband’s pile of technology, the money was well spent!" — AmazonEmme Price: $29+ (available in customizable sizes and colors) 27. A portable instant photo printer great for the person who is constantly snapping pics. The sticky-backed paper makes this perfect for journaling and scrapbooking! Promising review: "I originally purchased this product for my 11-year-old granddaughter who's always taking pictures. This is the absolute best gift I could have ever given her. It is compact, easy to use, and takes great quality reproductions of pictures in sticker form — how fun. I would recommend this product to anyone who wishes to give an out-of-the-ordinary gift." — Bianca Trevino Price: $67.99+ (available in five colors and a stater bundle option) 28. A shower phone holder for anyone who would love to watch YouTube videos, TikToks, or jam to their favorite playlist while they take way too long in the shower. Promising review: "This product is the answer to my search for a way to have music or Netflix playing while in the shower! The adhesion quality is great, and it's very easy to use. It fits my iPhone XS Max very well and is very sturdy. I would recommend this to anyone!" — Jackie Donovan Price: $9.99+ (available in nine colors/styles) 29. A 3-in-1 wireless charger that'll allow them to charge their iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods at the same time *without* a bunch of cords cluttering up their nightstand. Promising review: "I love this charging station! I‘m one of those people who has all the Apple things, so being able to charge my phone, watch, and AirPod Pros at the same time is a total game-changer for me. I can’t even guess how many times I’ve misplaced my AirPods because I didn’t have a dedicated place for them. Now there’s no question where they are every morning. Not only that, but the charger is pretty fast (especially for the watch and earbuds), and the station itself is easy to set up and use." — Anonymous Price: $29.99 (available in seven colors) 30. An LED flat plate so they can read all night long if they want, without disturbing their partner. The bookworm on your list will totally appreciate this. Promising review: "LOVE! This book light is perfect for nighttime reading. I opted for this particular brand over others I saw for less as it has a dimmer. I really like this one as the glow is soft and not harsh on my eyes. The dimmer has a wide range when I turn the knob. You can use this book light horizontally or vertically. It’s not large enough to cover the whole page of most books, but it does completely light up an entire page so you don’t have to move it up and down while reading." — Flora Price: $24.99+ (available in two colors) 31. A crystal carafe that'll look so chic on their nightstand. No more stumbling out of bed in the middle of the night for a glass of water. They will definitely feel luxurious when they use this gift (and they'll never know it was under $25). Promising review: "I bought one and love it so much that I got another one. It's meticulously made, gorgeously crafted solid crystal, and has serious heft. It's not huge or unwieldy but has enough capacity for not only nighttime carafe use, but also for daytime, e.g. I make iced tea and use it at my home office. I love the convenience of the glass/cover, which I use not as a drinking glass but for for dust particles not to get into my water and drinks. For the price, this cannot be beat. The quality of this is remarkable and if you're on the fence about this, get it — you won't be sorry. :-)" — IandThouSpirit Price: $21+ (available in three colors) 32. A pack of Crayola Globbles — a fidget toy that they'll love throwing at the wall and watching as they roll back down... so they can do it all over again. They can also squeeze and squish them as a stress ball. And the best part? These won't leave behind any sticky residue! Some reviewers initially bought them for their kids, but then bought more for themselves! After they get a little dirty, just wash them with soap and they'll be sticky again! Promising review : "Amazing toys! My 1- and 2-year-old LOVE them! They scream 'sticky balls!' and run around throwing them on the fridge, windows, cabinets, walls, etc. Easy to wash and air-dry, and don't lose their stickiness! My new go-to gift! Love them!" — Rachel Price: $19.59 (for a pack of 16) 33. A pair of aerating wineglasses that might just make their $8 bottle of Moscato taste like something from a fancy restaurant. Your wine-loving auntie will be using this all the time! Promising review: "I got these for my mom and she loves them! They are great conversation pieces, and fun to use. The wine fans out and falls into the glass as pictured. She runs them through the dishwasher and hasn't had any issues cleaning them that way. These are fun for wine drinkers." — Kaitlyn G. Price: $59.19 34. A felt letter board for the person who always has the best inspirational quotes in their Instagram captions — now they can display their skills in their home for all guests to admire. Promising review: "Great idea. Great for a small space on your wall that you need to fill. The white letters fix nicely to the fabric board until you want to remove them — which is also easy to do. Very cute." — Grant Price: $18.99+ (available in four sizes and 27 colors) 35. A pair of humorous novelty socks that'll make a great gift for a bacon lover, wine lover, taco lover, coffee lover, and more. Basically, these are an adorable add-on or stocking stuffer for pretty much anyone on your list. Promising review: "Funny and well-made. Got these for my lady friend, who funny enough drinks tea and wears socks. She loved the colors, the graphics and the material. Extra soft and comfortable. Highly recommend." — Rick Baird Price: $9.99+ (available in 16 designs) 36. A copy of Burn After Writing , a guided journal meant to encourage them to explore their feelings. It features different questions and thought experiments to help them learn about themself and let go of certain things. Promising review: "I first saw this book on TikTok and decided to look more into it. I purchased four total because I know some people holding onto things that are difficult to let go of. It’s a great way to look at things from a different perspective and truly hold yourself accountable to different things in your life. I love what it stands for and I look forward to when I burn mine after I’m done. Self love, self care, and meditation for a better state of mind tomorrow is always the goal. I definitely recommend it to those susceptible to change and the willingness to try things different. You’re so much more than what’s been done to you and someone’s inability to see your worth does not decrease your value. Choose you for a change." — Brent Helm Price: $7.32 37. A pair of constellation tassel earrings that are ~out of this world~ gorgeous! And for less than $10??! Any fashionista who loves a good accessory will be thrilled to unwrap these. Promising review: "These are absolutely beautiful, and clever with the post being falling stars. The stud sits comfortably and is lovely. Not gaudy or tacky in the least. I’m thrilled with them — and the price? If you are charmed by the picture you won’t be disappointed! They’re beautiful!" — Amyss Price: $8.66 (available in two colors) 38. A Wacky Waving Inflatable Tube Guy to keep on their desk so they can have a little dance party with him whenever they need some cheering up. Promising review: " I opened the package and screamed for joy! As I placed the 9-volt battery my hands were trembling with what was going to happen next! As I turned on the wacky waving inflatable tube man I knew I have a friend for life. Someone you can really count on cheering you up when you are feeling down. He brought me such joy, I started to cry with laughter and happiness. " — Robert Wurstner Price: $8.58 Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.'Bruised' bosses hit out at Labour's triple whammy of budget policies which make it harder to hire staff By MARTIN BECKFORD and HARRIET LINE Published: 23:17, 26 November 2024 | Updated: 23:25, 26 November 2024 e-mail View comments Labour was hit by a fresh backlash from business leaders on Tuesday in a new blow to ministers as they launched a drive to get more people back into work. Industry chiefs told a Parliamentary committee they were suffering a 'triple whammy' from both Angela Rayner 's workers' rights revolution and Rachel Reeves ' tax raid. Employers' groups and MPs also warned that the impact of the Budget risked undermining the new Get Britain Working white paper, which aims to tackle joblessness and reduce the spiralling benefits bill. And a senior figure at the Bank of England admitted that the increase to employers' National Insurance contributions would put companies off hiring more staff. It came just a day after Chancellor Rachel Reeves attempted to quell a growing revolt against the £40billion tax raid in her maiden Budget a month ago by promising 'I'm not coming back with more borrowing or more taxes'. In a more than five-hour hearing of the Employment Rights Bill Committee, industry chiefs warned that measures contained in Ms Rayner's workers' rights overhaul, coupled with the Budget changes , would make it riskier for a business to take someone on. Alex Hall-Chen, principal policy advisor at Institute of Directors (IoD), told MPs: 'A key fear for us is the cumulative impact of all the 28 reforms in this Bill, coupled with everything else happening in the employment space so far, and that taken as a whole the measures make hiring someone riskier and more expensive for businesses. 'Our research has shown that as a result businesses will hire fewer people.' Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has published a white paper which she said represented the 'biggest reforms to employment support in a generation' Ms Kendall also said visiting the employment offices too often felt like 'you're back in the 80s or 90s' Chancellor Rachel Reeves has attempted to quell a growing revolt against the £40billion tax raid in her maiden Budget a month ago At the Budget, Ms Reeves launched a £25billion raid on employers' National Insurance contributions (NICs) and hiked the national living wage by 6.7per cent. Following the committee, British Chambers of Commerce director general Shevaun Haviland criticised the 'scale and scope of the changes' in the Bill. 'The Budget has already left many firms feeling bruised, and if this legislation is enacted as it stands, it could hamper growth, restrict recruitment and lead to job losses,' she said. Business groups also warned that young people would be 'disproportionately' affected, as a result of the changes to national insurance, the living wage and workers' rights. Matthew Percival, future of work director at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), told MPs that the impact of the changes would be 'concentrated in sectors which currently employ a large number of young people'. 'The Bill also ends up focusing on the same area, and those businesses often speak about a 'triple whammy' because they are also the same businesses that are affected by the national living wage increases. 'So in all three aspects, you end up with a similar group of businesses who are particularly facing costs and therefore, where there are unintended consequences, they are disproportionately likely to be faced by young people.' However, union leaders welcomed the changes in the Bill, with RMT general secretary Mick Lynch saying it could increase collective bargaining while TUC leader Paul Nowak said it would likely increase unionisation. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said Labour's 'union paymasters are licking their lips at the prospect of these measures becoming the law'. 'They will hand massive powers to the unions, making it easier for them to hold organisations and their consumers to ransom and take us back to the 1970s.' In a separate Parliamentary hearing, Bank of England chief economist Huw Pill told the Lords economic affairs committee that the NI hike was a 'disincentive to employment'. Meanwhile, industry chiefs warned that measures contained in Angela Rayner's workers' rights overhaul, coupled with the Budget changes, would make it riskier for a business to take someone on Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith (pictured) said Labour's 'union paymasters are licking their lips at the prospect of these measures becoming the law' 'We do recognise that an increase in national insurance contributions widens the wedge between the producer wage - the wage paid by firms - and the consumer wage - the wage received by wage earners. 'And that is a disincentive to employment at some level. That probably is weighing at the margin against participation in the labour market.' Read More Furious farmers plan Westminster protest over Labour's Budget land cash raid Meanwhile Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall published a white paper which she said represented the 'biggest reforms to employment support in a generation'. She said the toll of 2.8million people out of work because of long-term sickness and almost 1million young people not in education, employment or training had created an economic and 'social crisis' as well as a welfare bill expected to rise by £26billion within five years. But she was warned in the Commons that her plans - including an overhaul of Jobcentres and more NHS appointments in worklessness hotspots - risked being defeated if bosses cannot afford new staff as a result of the Budget. Ms Kendall was told by her Tory counterpart Helen Whately that while she 'tries to get people into work, her Chancellor is busy destroying jobs'. 'If the Secretary of State wants to get more 18-year-olds into work, she should have a word with her Chancellor, who has made it so that from April it will cost £5,000 more for a business to employ them.' Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine said: 'Many of us see a contradiction in this policy and the National Insurance changes, because a major employer in my constituency of Edinburgh West tells me it's going to cost them a quarter of a million pounds extra a year, and they won't be taking on seasonal workers because they can't afford it.' Chief Economist and Executive Director for Monetary Analysis and Research at the Bank of England, Huw Pill said the NI hike was a 'disincentive to employment'. Business groups made the same point with the CBI's Matthew Percival saying: 'Employers have a key role to play in supporting the delivery of the government's objectives. There's no doubt that rising taxes and employment costs will make it more difficult for them to do so. 'That's why it's so important business and government work together to join the dots across the policy landscape in order for policy intent to translate into long-term impact.' Prof Len Shackleton of the IEA think-tank said: 'It is a disappointing package, unlikely to stimulate the inactive back into work. 'It is questionable that there would be enough jobs for them in any case, given that the budget and minimum wage increases have sharply raised the cost of employing people, especially the young, while new employment rights from Day One mean that employers face greater risk in taking on those without a sound employment record.' The white paper also raised the threat of fresh 'sin taxes' on unhealthy food as part of efforts to get people off sickness benefits. It stated: 'The Government is committed to reducing the number of people becoming overweight and obese and wants to work with the sector to consider all levers to further encourage food and drink reformulation to help tackle obesity, in a way that protects consumers and with a focus on voluntary and regulatory measures.' Labour Angela Rayner Rachel Reeves Share or comment on this article: 'Bruised' bosses hit out at Labour's triple whammy of budget policies which make it harder to hire staff e-mail Add comment
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