Sustainable Public Finances 2024-10-29
2024-10-29
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from a Treasury assessment showing the government inherited a £22 billion black hole in public finances.
What steps she is taking to help ensure sustainable public finances. The government inherited a £22 billion black hole, and I took immediate action against it.
This Government are committed to sustainable public finances, unlike two of the Opposition parties. A stable economy built on stable public finances is a key foundation for growth. Our manifesto sets out robust fiscal rules to balance day-to-day costs with revenues and get debt falling as a share of our economy.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps or actions taken by the government to address the £22 billion deficit are not detailed
Committed
Stable Public Finances
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is about the honesty of government communications on public finances, contrasting with Scotland's SNP approach.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that being honest and transparent about the state of public finances is the right thing to do? The Government need a long-term plan to fix the foundations of our economy, unlike the chaotic approach by the SNP in Scotland leading to budget cuts.
This Government are committed to sustainable public finances. Our manifesto includes robust fiscal rules to balance day-to-day costs with revenues and get debt falling as a share of our economy, fixing the foundations of our economy.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific honesty or transparency measures not provided
Committed
Stable Public Finances
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The borough council in Eastbourne spends a significant amount on temporary accommodation, leading to calls for support from the Chancellor.
Will the Chancellor commit to supporting councils with the cost of temporary accommodation? The number of people in temporary accommodation is rising, and we need a solution. We propose investing in preventing homelessness.
The hon. Member is right; the number of people in temporary accommodation is scandalous. The Government are committed to building 1.5 million homes during this Parliament, which will bring down the cost and ensure all families have a secure roof.
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Assessment & feedback
Null
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
A 2% in-year efficiency target has been set for Departments, prompting concerns about its robustness.
What is she doing to ensure the 2% productivity target is applied robustly? The previous government had a Health and Social Care Department target only. There's concern that departments might defer decisions to avoid meeting targets.
The Government set a 2% productivity target for all Departments, not just Health and Social Care. Ministers are determined to deliver against these targets to ensure resources for frontline services like schools, hospitals, and police.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures to enforce the robustness of the target are lacking
Determined
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The last Government's policy led to increased interest rates and mortgage costs.
Under the last Government, the Chancellor said that interest rates were driven by Government policy. Will the Chancellor guarantee that neither will rise higher than they did under the Conservatives?
The previous Government crashed the economy with a mini-Budget, sending interest rates and mortgage rates soaring. We will set out our Budget tomorrow including fiscal rules on day-to-day spending through tax receipts and borrowing only to invest.
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Assessment & feedback
Future guarantee on interest rates not provided
Crashed The Economy
Borrowing For Day-To-Day
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The Chancellor announced changes to debt rules allowing more borrowing, with Treasury advice suggesting this could keep interest rates higher.
Last Wednesday, the Chancellor announced changes to the debt rules. However, published Treasury advice warns that increasing borrowing risks keeping interest rates high for longer. Does she agree?
In Washington, I was pleased to hear IMF say it's important countries borrow to invest in capital infrastructure. Our plans inherited from the previous Government would reduce capital spending as a share of GDP. We will set out our Budget tomorrow with rules for day-to-day spending through tax receipts and borrowing only to invest.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific agreement on Treasury advice not provided
Pleased
Borrowing To Invest
Response accuracy