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Budget Resolutions 2025-12-02
02 December 2025
Lead MP
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
NHSEmployment
Other Contributors: 64
At a Glance
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care raised concerns about budget resolutions 2025-12-02 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
I begin by addressing the British Medical Association’s reckless call for resident doctors to strike in the run-up to Christmas, which is completely unjustified as flu cases surge. After a 28.9% pay rise offered by the Government was rejected by the BMA out of hand, my door has always been open and I stand ready to do a deal that puts patients first. NHS leaders and frontline staff did well to minimise costs and disruption during recent rounds of strike action; however, if this strike goes ahead, it will be different as hospitals are running hot and pressures are enormous. The BMA should not go ahead with the strike which threatens progress in the NHS at a critical time. I also address the need for a national health service as a publicly funded, public service free at the point of use and the need to lift children out of poverty. We must defend the founding principles of the NHS and reject any talk of charging for healthcare.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab/Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Question
Does he agree that the hard-working staff at St Thomas’ hospital across the bridge, who deal with patients from right across the country, still kept the show going during the last rounds of strikes? Will he please do everything in his power to make sure that the strike does not go ahead?
Minister reply
I can certainly give my hon. Friend that assurance and endorse what she says about our local hospital, St Thomas’. I genuinely thank frontline NHS staff, without whom the performance and improvements we are seeing simply would not be possible.
Calum Miller
LD
Bicester and Woodstock
Question
How will the announcement that the Government will take responsibility for special educational needs and disabilities education from 2028 alleviate the growing deficits facing many county councils across this country, which it is estimated will grow to nearly £17 billion by the time the national Government take over?
Minister reply
My Department is working closely with the Secretary of State for Education and colleagues right across Government to make sure that we get this right. We are committed to modernising and reforming the system so that it meets needs and sets children up to not only survive but thrive.
Paul Holmes
Con
Hamble Valley
Question
Why was the Secretary of State part of a Cabinet that stood by and punished his colleagues for voting against the two-child benefit cap? Why do we now see this sudden conversion and revisionism?
Minister reply
The Whip was removed not because of the substance of the issue but because voting against a King’s or Queen’s Speech is unacceptable. The Conservative party peddled the myth that welfare recipients are on the take, leading to policies like the two-child cap which harmed those in work and poverty.
James Naish
Lab
Rushcliffe
Question
Could the Secretary of State provide some reassurance or agree to meet me to discuss how we can ensure that deprivation is not the only aspect considered in the initiative for 250 new neighbourhood health centres?
Minister reply
We want investment to be deprivation linked, but it’s important to address pockets of deprivation within affluent communities. The NHS faces enormous undercapitalisation and it will take time to address this challenge.
Noah Law
Lab
St Austell and Newquay
Question
Does the right hon. Member care to remind us how much the NHS strikes cost under his Government’s watch?
Minister reply
Well, we did not spend tens of billions of pounds in pay rises just for the same old problem to come back. There should have been proper reform, and conditions for those pay rises, but the Government did not make that happen, and here we are again.
Question
We should be clear that the deal struck with the United States is the first and only deal with the United States that secures 0% tariffs and mitigations against most-favoured-nation pricing. It will ensure that patients get access to good drugs.
Minister reply
We will see what happens. It would be interesting to know exactly where the money will come from.
Jen Craft
Lab
Thurrock
Question
The right hon. Gentleman is talking about two completely opposite ends. He says his party wants to invest in and find a way forward on social care, but he is opposing something minimal that will raise the living standards of those who work in the industry.
Minister reply
I am asking the question of who is going to pay for it. There is no detail in anything this Government do.
Alec Shelbrooke
Con
Wetherby and Easingwold
Question
Does he agree that the pressures on hospices, which are basically run by charitable contributions, have not been taken into account in all the Budget measures introduced since this Government came to power?
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. Let me tell the House, from 16 years of working in the hospice movement, primarily as the head of fundraising, that if you are suddenly asked to find nearly £100,000 overnight, it is almost impossible.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Question
The positive impacts of the Budget, including tax reforms raising over £8 billion in 2029-30 from wealth and the wealthy. Tax changes allowed for increases to minimum wage and living wage, state pension increases, rail fare freezes, fuel duty freezes and cutting £150 from next year’s energy bills.
Minister reply
The minister did not respond directly to this question as it was part of a broader statement about the Budget's positive impacts.
Melanie Ward
Lab
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Question
Recognition for charities such as Kirkcaldy Foodbank and the YMCA, which called on the then Secretary of State to lift the two-child cap.
Minister reply
The minister did not respond directly to this question as it was part of a broader statement about the positive impacts of lifting the two-child limit.
Helen Morgan
LD
North Shropshire
Question
Concerns about mismanagement and crumbling hospitals left by the previous Government, along with questions on funding for medicines and its potential impact on frontline services.
Minister reply
No specific response was provided to this question in the given text.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
The hon. Lady is outlining an extensive programme of capital expenditure on the NHS, but are the Liberal Democrats proposing further taxation to fund these improvements?
Minister reply
If the right hon. Gentleman had listened to our leader’s response to the Budget, he would understand that the Liberal Democrats do not propose to tax the British taxpayer further. We aim to create £25 billion in extra tax revenue every year through a customs union deal with the EU without raising taxes.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Question
Does my hon. Friend agree that an innovative, community-led project such as St Dunstan’s House health and wellbeing centre in Glastonbury should be included in the second wave of neighbourhood health scheme applications?
Minister reply
We would all welcome that kind of innovative, community-led approach to improve local health services across the country.
North Norfolk
Question
Does she share my frustration that rather than tackling problems faced by rural businesses, last week’s Budget has just lumbered them with more tax, costs and stress?
Minister reply
I share my hon. Friend’s frustration.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
The MP raises concerns about NHS productivity and highlights ongoing issues with dentistry due to outdated systems, suggesting reforms are necessary. He also questions the Chancellor's transparency and candour regarding the Budget preparation process.
Marie Rimmer
Lab
St Helens South and Whiston
Question
The MP supports measures in the Budget that promote domestic fairness, such as the high value council tax surcharge and sanctions on Russian assets. She urges the Government to continue working with European partners to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's reconstruction.
Adam Dance
LD
Yeovil
Question
The MP expresses disappointment in the Budget, highlighting issues such as uncertainty and damage to investment. He raises concerns about measures that disproportionately impact rural constituencies and businesses, questioning their effectiveness.
Ian Lavery
Lab
Blyth and Ashington
Question
Why did the right hon. Gentleman not mention why the Opposition oppose lifting the two-child cap in a country where children suffer from diseases caused by malnutrition?
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Question
Why was there silence from Scottish Labour about the Chancellor over the past few days? And why have no meetings been offered to First Ministers of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady expressed her thanks for the Chancellor's Budget which gave £20 million to Kirkcaldy to begin the renewal of their town.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Minister reply
The Health Secretary was urged to look at the benefits of the Scottish child payment which has been successful in reducing child poverty.
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
Question
This Budget is entitled “Strong foundations, secure future”; sadly, it is anything but, with weak foundations and an insecure future. For all this talk of fair decisions, this Budget’s biggest scandal is that my constituents are not being given a fair deal in any way whatsoever. My constituents, like those of Members across the House, who work hard to support themselves and their families and who innovate and start businesses that provide jobs, have been deeply let down by this Budget and Labour’s previous Budget. My constituents and people right across the country will pay more while being deprived of investment in the services they need due to this Government’s political decisions.
Connor Rand
Lab
Altrincham and Sale West
Question
Like my hon. Friend, I have heard relentlessly from organisations about this. Trafford South food bank, G-Force and other organisations in my constituency, and national charities, have all spoken about the importance of lifting children out of poverty and the impact that the measure will have, including for 1,000 children in my constituency. Does my hon. Friend find it surprising that Conservative Members have not heard those calls from their constituency organisations?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend and could not agree more. All I can say is, we see that every day in our constituencies, so they must be walking around with their eyes closed and their ears shut. Action needed to be taken, and I am so glad that this Labour Government have taken that action.
Ruth Jones
Lab
Newport West and Islwyn
Question
Welsh Labour MP Ruth Jones delivered a formal response to the Budget announcement.
Adrian Ramsay
Green
Waveney Valley
Question
Green Party MP Adrian Ramsay critiqued the Government's approach to addressing food insecurity, school funding pressures, and agricultural challenges in his constituency.
Terry Jermy
Lab
South West Norfolk
Question
Welcoming the removal of the two-child cap, Terry Jermy highlights poverty issues in rural areas. He supports measures such as above-inflation increases in state pensions and fuel duty and rail fare freezes to address cost-of-living pressures. However, he expresses concerns about agricultural property relief changes, citing farming crises due to poor harvests, biosecurity threats, planning delays, and supermarket dominance.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges the challenges faced by farmers and the importance of addressing these issues to support food security and rural communities. They emphasise the need for progressive policies that improve the livelihood of farmers.
Suffolk Coastal
Question
Does my hon. Friend agree that a dedicated rural strategy would address many issues and build a stronger, better rural Britain?
Minister reply
The minister agrees with the idea of a dedicated rural strategy to ensure policies fall equally across the country.
Jamie Stone
Liberal Democrats
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
During his visit to Wester Ross, Jamie Stone highlights concerns about reduced health services in remote areas. The once-a-week outreach clinic service was reduced from weekly to monthly visits after the covid pandemic.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges the concern and emphasises the importance of maintaining access to healthcare for elderly residents in remote areas.
Chris Hinchliff
Lab
North East Hertfordshire
Question
Does he think that raising more children out of poverty than any other Parliament on record is a positive?
Minister reply
The way to bring children out of poverty is to get more families into jobs, so they can afford to bring their children up and take responsibility.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Question
Does it make the situation worse?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right—it makes it worse. The benefits of an increased minimum wage are meaningless for those who do not have a wage.
Question
Does the hon. Lady agree that while Labour in government pretends that it is the party of fairness, this Budget is deeply unfair to both her constituents and my own constituents?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Member for his point.
Anna Dixon
Lab
Shipley
Question
Last week, I went to Shipley college in my constituency and met some of the students. They asked what the Labour Government were going to do to provide them with training and employment opportunities. Does my hon. Friend agree that giving free training to SMEs to take on apprentices will help to deliver better opportunities for our young people?
Minister reply
I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. Not only is that very good for our young people—they will have apprenticeships—but for our SMEs, as they will be able to offer those apprenticeships without the cost.
Olly Glover
LD
Didcot and Wantage
Question
I think everybody in this Chamber and in this House can agree that we need economic growth, but many question whether the Budget will really help with that. It prolongs Conservative underhand tactics, such as tax threshold freezes, which will have a comparable impact to more honest and up-front tax rises.
Adnan Hussain
Ind
Blackburn
Question
I have heard from many constituents that things just do not change for them. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that for real change in constituencies like ours, we need a needs-based, targeted funding approach?
Minister reply
What we need is a wealth tax. Working families need help now. The Government could raise more than £50 billion a year through a 2% wealth tax on assets over £10 million.
Vikki Slade
Lib Dem
Mid Dorset and North Poole
Question
Bearing in mind that we are talking about investing in the future, I would like to focus my comments on young people. Last week I held a youth conversation and was so impressed with the focus of the young people on broad issues including housing and their fear of the far right.
Minister reply
Sadly, many graduates and others who have completed their education are finding it tough to get into work at all. The failure of the Government to hear the Liberal Democrat call to cut VAT means there will likely be more shifts cut for young people.
Jayne Kirkham
Lab Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
Question
This was a Budget for young people. We are lifting the two-child benefit cap, bringing half a million children out of poverty; alongside free school meals, breakfast clubs, childcare and uniforms, we are reducing child poverty more than any Government ever.
Minister reply
The new measures for farmers announced by the Chancellor have been welcomed by the industry.
Steve Darling
Lib Dem
Torbay
Question
Perhaps the most important commodity for a Chancellor is not finance but trust. We saw how the Conservatives wrecked the country’s trust in them with partygate and the scandal of the fast track to personal protective equipment contracts for those who were in the know.
Minister reply
On the more positive note, I would like to reflect how the Liberal Democrats welcome the support through cuts to fuel bills, but failing to backfill the scheme with core funding is a shame.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Question
Madam Deputy Speaker, sitting here for three hours for a three-minute speech is a bit like the Budget—there is not much in it for working people. Of course, the Budget is fundamentally controversial because it increases income for benefit families but increases taxation for working families...
Jonathan Brash
Lab
Hartlepool
Question
I welcome so much that is in the Budget: the measures to reduce the cost of living, most notably the £150 off energy bills; the lifting of half a million children out of poverty... Sadly, however, a nod is all it was and it does nothing to fix the underlying problem...
Chelmsford
Question
Like many Members across this House, my team and I deal with casework about special educational needs on an almost daily basis, so I welcome the announcement that from 2028 the Government will be centrally funding SEND... However, there was no new money for schools in the Budget...
Susan Murray
LD
Mid Dunbartonshire
Question
First, I welcome the £820 million increase in funding for Scotland, the largest real-terms settlement Scotland has received. I have no doubt that my constituents will be pleased to hear of the increase, and I can only hope that they will benefit from it.
Lauren Sullivan
Lab
Gravesham
Question
May I beg your indulgence briefly, Madam Deputy Speaker? This morning, I had the honour of attending the funeral of Makhan Singh, a kind and dedicated public servant in Gravesham. He served as a councillor for 76 years and was the first Sikh mayor in Kent and a freeman.
Shockat Adam
Ind
Leicester South
Question
I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I welcome the Government’s abolition of the two-child benefit cap, but it should not have taken 16 months—it should have been the first act of a Labour Government.
Elsie Blundell
Lab
Heywood and Middleton North
Question
Focusing on how the Budget will deliver enhanced transport connectivity and further devolution, allowing towns to grow their way out of cuts.
Tom Hayes
Lab
Bournemouth East
Question
Supporting his colleague's case for investment in Greater Manchester
Anna Dixon
Lab
Shipley
Question
Acknowledging the importance of connecting great cities like Leeds and Bradford via Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Samantha Niblett
Lab
South Derbyshire
Question
Welcoming measures that will lift children out of poverty, provide support for mining workers' pensions, but also critiquing changes to inheritance tax.
Jessica Toale
Lab
Bournemouth West
Question
Emphasising the Budget's positive impacts on families and local communities through energy bill reductions, wage increases, and investments in infrastructure.
Penrith and Solway
Question
I welcome the positive steps taken in this Budget to support our NHS, including commitments to cut waiting lists, investment in technology and the delivery of up to 250 new neighbourhood health centres across the country. Measures like that matter, especially in rural areas like Cumbria, where our health services have struggled for years... (The full statement is quite extensive and covers multiple aspects as detailed above)
Sojan Joseph
Lab
Ashford
Question
I congratulate the Chancellor on delivering a Budget that protects the national health service, reduces the national debt and eases the cost of living. I warmly welcome her decision to find money to reduce energy bills, freeze rail fares and freeze prescription charges... (The full statement is quite extensive and covers multiple aspects as detailed above)
Birmingham Erdington
Question
I welcome last week’s Budget, which finally, after 14 years of Tory neglect, puts the people of Birmingham Erdington first... (The full statement is quite extensive and covers multiple aspects as detailed above)
Alison Taylor
Lab
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Question
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to this important debate... (The full statement is quite extensive and covers multiple aspects as detailed above)
Emma Foody
Lab Co-op
Cramlington and Killingworth
Question
My constituency felt the full force of Conservative cuts; this Budget invests in communities, jobs, and people. It tackles child poverty with an increase in the number of children lifted out of poverty and supports local businesses by providing funding through increases to the national living wage and minimum wage.
Minister reply
The minister confirms support for measures to cut energy bills by £150, cap rail fares, freeze NHS prescription charges, provide extra £575 annually to those on the new state pension, invest in health inequalities by creating 250 new neighbourhood health centres and back public services recovery.
Suffolk Coastal
Question
Concerns about farming inheritance tax reform and its impact on working family farms that struggle to break even. Calls for a full review within 12-18 months to look at farm funding, impacts on food sustainability, the rural economy, land management and food standards.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges the need for a balanced approach in APR reform to protect family farms while closing loopholes used by the wealthy. He commits to a full review within 12-18 months.
Tristan Osborne
Lab
Chatham and Aylesford
Question
Supports aspiration and investment in future potential of British people with measures on infrastructure, reducing cost pressures through energy bill reductions, rail fare freezes and free prescriptions for savings.
Minister reply
The minister reaffirms support for lifting the two-child benefit cap to reduce poverty and delivers growth under a Labour Government.
Jo Platt
Lab Co-op
Leigh and Atherton
Question
Welcomes measures to tackle illicit activity on high streets with £45 million over four years for a cross-Government taskforce, strengthened trading standards and law enforcement tools.
Minister reply
The minister confirms the crackdown on fake shops and rogue traders through new measures supported by cross-Government backing.
Jessica Toale
Lab
Question
Is the Chancellor appreciating the input of the Conservative approach to the economy, given that it was roundly rejected by the public just a year and a half ago?
Minister reply
The Government prioritised security arrangements before the spring forecast and for all future forecasts, conducting a review of the Treasury’s security processes to inform future fiscal events. The Health Secretary highlighted cutting NHS waiting lists as a top priority for this Government.
Chris Hinchliff
Lab
Question
Will the Minister commit to keeping changes to agricultural property relief under close review and take immediate action if we begin to see farms disappear?
Minister reply
The changes to agricultural property relief are a fair way forward, representing generous relief for people while raising money for public finances. The Chancellor announced in this Budget that any unused £1 million allowance for the 100% rate of agricultural property relief and business property relief will be transferable between spouses and civil partners.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Question
Why did Labour Chancellor Hugh Dalton resign?
Minister reply
The Minister admitted he was unaware of the historical context and promised to look up the answer on Wikipedia.
Question
How will these changes affect local businesses in my constituency?
Minister reply
These measures are designed to provide greater clarity and fairness for all businesses. Specific provisions will assist small and medium-sized enterprises by reducing unnecessary compliance costs.
Question
Can you clarify the timeline for implementing these changes?
Minister reply
The majority of these measures are set to take effect immediately, with specific provisions having phased implementation dates as detailed in each resolution.
Robert Jenrick
Con
Chesham and Amersham
Question
Could you provide details on the legal basis for postponing local elections under Pillar Two?
Minister reply
The decision is grounded in ensuring that all aspects of our democratic processes adhere to the highest standards of fairness. We will work with relevant bodies to establish a clear and unambiguous timeline for these elections.
Angela Rayner
Lab
Ashton-under-Lyne
Question
How does this new tax legislation affect small businesses in my constituency?
Minister reply
The measures are designed to ensure a level playing field for all businesses. However, we will continue to monitor their impact and make necessary adjustments to support smaller enterprises.
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