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Budget Resolutions 2025-11-26
26 November 2025
Lead MP
Kemi Badenoch
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
TaxationEmployment
Other Contributors: 87
At a Glance
Kemi Badenoch raised concerns about budget resolutions 2025-11-26 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a new tax raid of £26 billion, increasing borrowing in every year. Mrs Badenoch argues that this Budget increases benefits for families but hikes taxes on workers, pensioners and savers to pay for handouts. She criticises the lack of growth and stability promised by the Chancellor, highlighting increased unemployment, welfare spending, debt interest, and inflation. The speech emphasises broken promises from the last Budget and criticises the chaotic approach to policy implementation.
Kemi Badenoch
Con
North West Essex
The Chancellor has announced a £26 billion tax raid, with household income down. Spending policies increase borrowing every year and hike taxes on workers, pensioners, savers, investors, and homeowners to fund welfare handouts. The speech criticises the lack of growth and stability promised by the Chancellor, highlighting increased unemployment, welfare spending, debt interest, and inflation. It also emphasises broken promises from the last Budget and criticises the chaotic approach to policy implementation.
Waugh
Con
The Chancellor's Budget is detrimental as it includes higher taxes and uncontrolled spending, which has led to increased child poverty. It also introduces new taxes on landlords that will only drive up rents and push out investors from the market, harming tenants.
Badenoch
Con
The Budget could have saved £47 billion, including £23 billion from welfare reforms. The Chancellor missed an opportunity to cut taxes and the deficit by applying the Conservatives' golden economic rule. Instead of supporting hardworking individuals, she is on the side of those who are not contributing economically.
Meg Hillier
Lab/Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
The Chancellor's Budget has put money into the NHS, backed investment in the country, supported start-ups, and helped people during a difficult cost of living crisis caused by the Conservative party. The previous government led to rising mortgages and increased child poverty.
Tim Farron
LD
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Critiqued the Government's handling of rural poverty, citing figures showing hill farmers earning barely above half the national minimum wage. Raised concerns about the family farm tax and called for more action in the Budget.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Called on Meg Hillier to apologise for an 'awful policy', referring to a controversial clause related to women facing humiliation. Challenged her stance and accused the government of doubling down on policies that humiliate people.
Ed Davey
LD
Kingston and Surbiton
Criticised the Chancellor for failing to address cost-of-living issues and economic growth in the Budget. Emphasised the need for a new trade deal with Europe to cut costs and boost the economy, arguing that reversing Brexit costs would significantly benefit families and pensioners.
Ed Davey
LD
Kingston and Surbiton
The Chancellor's Budget is criticised for increasing income tax thresholds, raising taxes on the low-paid, taxing salary sacrifice, and damaging savings and pensions. It also fails to address the needs of carers and does not help the hospitality sector with an emergency VAT cut. The Liberal Democrats call for a growth-oriented policy that supports businesses and families.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Welcomes the family-friendly Budget, which increases family income and removes the rape clause. Emphasises the importance of community cohesion and acknowledges challenges like high numbers of children living in poverty. Supports measures to help with heating, eating, and rent for households.
Dorking and Horley
Questions the robustness of the Office for Budget Responsibility's productivity forecast and its basis on pre-2008 UK productivity data. Calls for more investment in skills and apprenticeships to improve productivity over time.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming and Ash
Budget does not prioritise economic growth but political survival. Welfare spending is increasing instead of reducing, leading to higher taxes and job losses. There are around 2,200 people signed off from work each day due to mental health issues, which contradicts the need for social contact at work. Abolition of the two-child cap will increase child poverty.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Expresses concern over Government planning to water down mental health investment standard, which could reverse progress towards parity of esteem between physical and mental health.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Argues that social policy and economic policy are linked; growing the working-age population is crucial for funding future pensions and welfare bills. Disagrees with the notion of financing large families, citing evidence from previous Conservative Government's policies on child poverty.
Tom Hayes
Lab
Bournemouth East
Growing up in poverty has long-term negative impacts such as higher costs for public services due to future mental health and social issues. Disagrees with the approach of expanding welfare and large families living in poverty.
Andrew Lewin
Lab
Welwyn Hatfield
Questions why his party abstained from backing planning reforms proposed by the Government, despite acknowledging their importance for economic growth. Criticises current government's lack of substantive changes on planning reform.
Lizzi Collinge
Lab
Morecambe and Lunesdale
Questions why children benefiting from the lifting of the two-child benefit cap should continue to live in poverty, challenging Jeremy Hunt's stance on welfare reforms.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Asked about the deficit inherited by the previous Conservative government, highlighting that it was over 10% when they came to power.
Oliver Dowden
Con
Hertsmere
Emphasised the youth unemployment crisis and stated that under the Conservatives, youth unemployment plunged. He criticised Labour's policies for leading to a rise in youth unemployment.
Yuan Yang
Lab
Earley and Woodley
Critiqued Sir Jeremy Hunt's fiscal policy decisions, pointing out that his budgets left little fiscal headroom and increased the deficit.
Erith and Thamesmead
Welcomed the Chancellor’s Budget for its economic growth and investment in families. She highlighted specific projects such as the DLR extension to Thamesmead, which she claimed would unlock 25,000 to 30,000 homes and around 10,000 new jobs.
Daniel Francis
Lab
Bexleyheath and Crayford
Supported his constituency neighbour's points regarding the DLR extension and thanked the Chancellor for capital investments in fixing potholes and building infrastructure projects such as the lower Thames crossing and DLR extension.
Gideon Amos
LD
Taunton and Wellington
Expressed concern about the state of Musgrove Park hospital in his constituency, asking for interim funding to keep it going until new facilities are built. He agreed with the need for investment to cut NHS waiting times.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Called for consensus on reducing benefits and encouraging more people into work, suggesting that both sides of the House could support sensible proposals to address unsustainable benefit levels. He warned against creating perverse incentives that keep people out of work.
Rachael Maskell
Lab/Co-op
York Central
Questions the assumptions made by Sir Edward Leigh regarding the benefits bill. She suggests looking at data correlating social security claims with NHS waiting lists and emphasises the need to address this issue.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Recognises the Treasury team's work on the Budget but criticises the previous approach to council tax. Welcomes measures around council tax on more valuable properties, recognising the importance of fair taxation for public services and funding.
Jeremy Corbyn
Lab
Islington North
The speaker criticises the fragmentation and privatisation of public services, citing examples such as the problems in prison and justice systems due to Chris Grayling's policies. He also mentions issues with trading standards officers due to funding cuts, leading to difficulties in enforcing laws against vapes and smuggled cigarettes. The speaker concludes that while the Budget is a good start, much more needs to be done to rebuild public services.
Oliver Dowden
Con
Hertsmere
The MP criticises the Chancellor's decision-making in the previous and current Budgets, focusing on higher welfare spending paid for by higher taxes. He mentions negative impacts such as increased income taxes, savings taxes, and dividends taxes. The speaker highlights the unfairness of some people benefiting from welfare while others cannot afford additional children due to financial constraints.
Luke Akehurst
Lab
North Durham
The shadow minister responds by pointing out that families with multiple children on benefits will benefit from the Budget. He suggests that this measure will tackle poverty for current generations and encourages acknowledgment of those benefiting from higher welfare costs.
Simon Hoare
Con
North Dorset
The MP agrees with Sir Oliver Dowden's view, emphasising that the welfare state is becoming a lifestyle choice rather than a safety net. He stresses the risk of neglecting a generation due to dependency and lack of aspiration.
Meg Hillier
Lab
Hackney South and Shoreditch
The Chair of the Treasury Committee disputes the notion that people choose to have more children for benefits. She supports the measure as tackling poverty and acknowledges ambition among young families but highlights systemic issues regarding poverty.
Liam Byrne
Lab
Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
Defended the Chancellor's Budget as right and argued it will improve growth, business investment, inflation, interest rates, energy bills, child poverty. Criticised Conservatives for increasing national debt by £1 trillion. Emphasised productivity collapse under Conservative government compared to Labour years.
Simon Hoare
Con
Asked about the financial situation when Liam Byrne was Chief Secretary in 2010, questioned the accuracy of figures regarding debt and borrowing.
Paul Waugh
Lab/Co-op
Rochdale
Called for further detail on business energy costs scheme. Emphasised need to bring down business rates and red tape costs.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Congratulated the Chancellor on her final Budget, criticised growth forecasts by IMF predicting lowest per-capita growth in G7. Highlighted issues with food prices, unemployment, borrowing and debt service costs.
Arthur
SNP
The hon. Member asks about energy bills and promises made by Labour during elections; however, these commitments are part of Labour's manifesto and will be met at the end of this Parliament as promised.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
The SNP proposed a budget with a surcharge on banks that would create £300 discount for bill payers, aligning with Labour's election promise. The Budget lacks meaningful measures on energy; bills will rise in January and April despite the announced reduction of £150 off energy bills, leaving a debit of £87 per year compared to Labour's promise at elections.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
The Budget does not address the energy profits levy which is damaging North Sea oil and gas industry; GDP growth in Scotland has outpaced UK growth under SNP governance since 2007, highlighting the economic mismanagement by Labour.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
The Budget announcement is too little too late for businesses struggling with high taxes. Whisky duty increases limit Scotch whisky’s growth potential and investment opportunities; this reflects a lack of understanding from the Chancellor regarding business needs.
Newcastle upon Tyne North
The Budget scrutinizes public spending, focusing on tough decisions made during tenure as Minister for School Standards. Measures such as rail fare freezes and extended bus fare caps will help mitigate cost of living pressures; scrapping the two-child limit in child poverty alleviation is a step towards economic stability.
Peter Prinsley
Lab
Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Acknowledges concerns about clinical negligence claims in maternity services, noting they exceed costs of maternity services themselves.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Critiqued the Chancellor's Budget for its negative impact on enterprise and family undertakings. Highlighted economic instability caused by previous budget decisions, leading to decreased business confidence and reduced GDP growth.
Cat Smith
Lab
Lancaster and Wyre
Welcomed measures in the Budget aimed at reducing cost of living for constituents, including energy bill relief, freezing of NHS prescription charges, and rail fare caps. Emphasised the importance of lifting children out of poverty through policy changes such as ending the two-child limit.
Member
Lab
Lancaster and Wyre
Welcomed agricultural property relief allowing transfer of rate relief between spouses, but urged the government to continue dialogue on thresholds. Emphasised support for CenTax proposals targeting large passive investors and non-farming landowners rather than family farms. Discussed infected blood scandal and sodium valproate issue, urging attention in next budget. Supported sugar tax extension to milkshakes and proposed alcohol duty escalator to reduce alcohol-related deaths.
Richard Tice
Reform
Boston and Skegness
Critiqued the Budget as a 'car crash', citing negative growth forecasts, job losses, and increased taxes. Highlighted welfare spending increases and borrowing levels. Proposed alternative measures like reducing interest on quantitative easing reserves and foreign aid budget cuts.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Contextualised the Budget within 'ABT' - austerity, Brexit, Truss policy impacts, emphasising household losses due to Tory measures. Contrasted with current positive business investment and growth forecasts from OBR. Highlighted local benefits such as health centres in Sefton and bus fleet investments for Liverpool city region.
Chris Vince
Con
Harlow
The warm homes plan will help those in fuel poverty by providing up to £500 for insulation, solar, and battery installation. This is important as many households, especially in new towns like Harlow, face challenges insulating their homes due to financial constraints.
Lizzi Collinge
Lab
Glasgow North West
The Government's commitment to responding to the nuclear regulatory review within three months is welcome. This will help ensure that nuclear power remains safe and up-to-date, facilitating new builds such as Wylfa’s small modular reactor which will create 3,000 jobs.
Tom Tugendhat
Con
Tonbridge
The Budget is a welfare Budget not aimed at work. It imposes an extra £7.5 billion tax on young people with university degrees and leaves many young people without work for extended periods, making them dependent on the state. The budget also taxes farmers heavily, discouraging investment.
Smethwick
Defends the Labour Government's economic policies from criticisms. Highlights positive impacts of recent budgets on his constituency, including funding for local projects and benefits such as wage increases, frozen rail fares, prescription charges, and fuel duty. Emphasises shift towards self-sufficiency in key areas due to global challenges.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Critiques the Chancellor's budget for unfairly impacting working people, arguing it relies on tax increases from modest-income earners rather than wealthy individuals. Points out negative economic impacts predicted by OBR and questions spending priorities such as welfare payments and environmental taxes.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
Strangford
Tax avoidance has not been addressed, despite frequent discussions. The budget for welfare in relation to immigration is predicted to rise to £15 billion. There are concerns about the costs of maintaining bases in the Indian Ocean and how these funds could be better utilized. Welcomes the announcement regarding the loan charge but calls for fair treatment of ordinary people affected by it compared to businesses. Supports Barnett consequentials for Northern Ireland but criticises the protocol's impact on the economy. Raises issues with funding reductions and the inconsistency in welfare changes vs electricity bill concessions between Westminster and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Recounts the failure of the Truss Budget, highlighting its impact on interest rates and mortgage market. Criticises Conservative policies for low infrastructure investment despite low interest rates, stagnant wages, and flatlining productivity. Acknowledges difficult choices in the current budget but focuses on addressing cost-of-living concerns with measures such as energy bill savings, train fares freeze, fuel taxation freeze, childcare support, and living wage increases. Supports automotive sector initiatives like DRIVE35 and US trade deal. Addresses productivity issues through fair employment rights, investment incentives, and skills delivery. Highlights the importance of workforce stability and international credibility for economic growth.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
The Government's Budget is punishing wealth creators and padding out the welfare system, which decreases incentives for work. The national minimum wage will reduce opportunities for young people as there is no cost advantage to recruiting students over full-timers.
Cheltenham
Asked Sir Bernard Jenkin if the blossoming of the public sector in this country was a result of Brexit, which he had advocated for over many years.
John Lamont
Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Asked about the council tax surcharge in Fleur Anderson’s constituency, noting that it will affect dozens if not hundreds of properties. Inquired whether she supports this measure.
Estimated that 4% of homes in her constituency will be affected by the council tax surcharge. Supports the measure as a fair way to redistribute taxes, benefiting public services and the NHS with minimal impact on those who can afford it.
Llinos Medi
PC
Ynys Môn
Critiqued the Budget for failing Wales, highlighting issues like unfair standing charges, energy costs, lack of Crown Estate powers, and rail funding discrepancies between England and Wales. Emphasised that inheritance tax will cost thousands of jobs in Wales.
Asked whether Llinos Medi welcomes the youth guarantee for apprenticeships which would benefit young people in Ynys Môn.
Acknowledged the importance of small businesses offering apprenticeships but stressed that they need to afford employing people first. Criticised national insurance changes as detrimental to small businesses in Wales, calling for a more strategic vision to support them.
Uma Kumaran
Lab
Stratford and Bow
Committed to building a stronger economy, protecting the NHS, reducing national debt, driving down living costs, abolishing the two-child benefit cap, increasing minimum wage for 18-20 year olds, committing to Ukraine, ensuring wealthier individuals pay their fair share.
Kit Malthouse
Con
North West Hampshire
Malthouse criticises the Budget for contradictions and incoherences. He mentions issues with electric vehicle charging costs, housing market impacts on disabled and elderly people, reduction of tax incentives for employee ownership, reduced funding for education, and a £7.5 billion hit to students' education funds.
Lincoln Jopp
Con
Spelthorne
Jopp agrees with Malthouse's assessment that the Budget is full of contradictions and does not have a clear governing philosophy. He highlights concerns over growth, tax rates, inflation, interest rates, and productivity.
Yuan Yang
Lab
Epsom and Ewell
Yang questions Malthouse about the structural trends affecting UK productivity since 2010. She also points to a passage in the Blue Book discussing persistent weakness in productivity growth relative to pre-financial crisis levels.
Chris Evans
Lab/Co-op
Caerphilly
Evans emphasises that the young and old are most affected by poverty, reflecting Labour party values. He quotes Harold Wilson stating that their movement is a moral crusade or nothing.
Chris Evans
Lab
Caerphilly
Supports the Budget, highlighting achievements like lifting children out of poverty, providing youth placements, and raising state pension limits. Criticises austerity measures under previous governments that led to high unemployment and benefit dependency.
Lincoln Jopp
Con
Spelthorne
Asked Chris Evans about the Labour Government’s responsibility for rising unemployment since coming into power, challenging them to take accountability for the state of the nation.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Pointed out job losses in hospitality due to the Chancellor's policies. Criticises Labour’s failure to address unemployment effectively under previous governments.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Agrees with Chris Evans, adding that freezing rail fares benefits employers and employees alike by improving social mobility and supporting economic activity in Reading.
Epsom and Ewell
Expresses concern over the impact of the Budget on hospitality businesses and middle-income earners. Proposes an emergency VAT cut for certain sectors, funded by a windfall tax on banks. Criticises the freeze on income tax thresholds as a stealth tax.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Supports the Government's change to the two-child benefit cap, as it will bring Northern Ireland children out of poverty and mean a better life for them.
Emphasises the importance of breakfast clubs, which provide support to many children in schools and help families by enabling parents to get to work earlier.
Questions whether lifting the two-child limit will be sufficient given inflation increases that reduce the value of money in parents’ pockets.
Lincoln Jopp
Lab/Co-op
Barnsley East
Responded sarcastically to the points made by Dr Spencer, agreeing with the need for reform in child maintenance but not addressing the two-child benefit cap.
Lola McEvoy
Lab/Co-op
Wythenshawe and Sale East
Questioned Dr Spencer about the introduction of a £50 access fee for child maintenance, suggesting it was a bad decision by his Government in 2010.
Rachel Blake
Lab/Co-op
Cities of London and Westminster
Asked Dr Spencer to give way but was not granted permission to speak.
Jim McMahon
Lab/Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Discussed the impact of the two-child benefit cap on working families in his constituency. Highlighted measures such as rail fare freeze, bus fare cap, energy bills relief, and investment in co-operative businesses.
Jim McMahon
Lab
Oldham West and Royton
Jim McMahon supports the Chancellor's Budget, focusing on practical measures such as free apprenticeships up to age 25. He highlights the current system for apprenticeships is not geared towards helping young people succeed, with only 16% of apprenticeships advertised in July and August. He also calls for a review of HMRC mileage rates that have not been reviewed for 15 years.
Rebecca Smith
Con
South West Devon
Rebecca Smith criticises Labour’s economic mismanagement, citing concerns from her constituents about increased national insurance contributions and minimum wage hikes. She highlights the Resolution Foundation's warning that these policies will drive up costs for employing low-paid workers by 14%. She calls for lower taxes even if it means less government spending, and opposes lifting the two-child benefit cap due to its high cost.
Chris Vince briefly comments on the importance of financial education in schools as a response to Rebecca Smith’s concerns about financial literacy among young adults affected by changes to ISA rules.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
John Slinger supports the Labour Budget, stating it prioritises protecting the NHS, reducing national debt, and easing the cost of living. He emphasises its focus on young people, highlighting initiatives such as free apprenticeships up to age 25 and measures supporting their potential.
Lincoln Jopp
Con
Asked why John Slinger voted against lifting the two-child benefit cap when proposed by SNP but supports it now.
John Slinger
Con
Rugby
Explained that his support for lifting the two-child benefit cap is due to economic conditions allowing it now and praised the Budget's focus on housing, infrastructure, skills, NHS funding, and reduced national debt.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Critiques the Government for taking £12 billion from working people to give to those on benefits, doubling down on mistakes that have damaged high streets and increased borrowing costs. Cites OBR forecasts showing lower growth rates and higher inflation under Labour's leadership.
Mark Garnier
Con
Wyre Forest
Agrees with Mike Wood regarding the cost of servicing additional borrowing and its impact on working families, citing the example that the difference between 3% per year and 0.25% per year in growth in disposable income adds up to £2,700 less per family.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
The Budget was a failure. It has flatlined the economy, impacted all sectors including hospitality, engineering and manufacturing, increased overheads for businesses, raised fuel duties which hurt rural areas, imposed excessive taxes on inheritance that will affect family farms and small businesses negatively, and there were no concessions to reduce costs for businesses.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
The Chancellor's Budget is seen as a tax-raising measure that does not incentivise work or economic growth. It criticises the Labour Government for failing to address key issues raised by constituents, suggesting that the previous year’s budget left the country in fiscal difficulty.
Matt Turmaine
Lab
Watford
Welcomes the Chancellor's Budget as a necessary step towards rectifying the economic challenges inherited from the Conservative Government. Emphasises positive impacts such as interest rate cuts, wage growth, and investments in public services and infrastructure. Highlights specific benefits for young workers on minimum wage and supports commitments to NHS investment.
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