Topical Questions 2025-03-04
2025-03-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The OBR forecasted that there would be a reduction in jobs as a result of the NICs increase.
How many jobs will the right hon. Lady destroy as a result of her jobs tax?
I know that the right hon. Gentleman will have looked at the OBR forecast from the Budget last year, which forecasted that employment will rise in this Parliament, unemployment will fall and real household disposable income will increase. That is a far cry from the last Parliament, which was the worst on record for living standards.
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Assessment & feedback
The Chancellor did not confirm willingness to come to the House with a clear plan around welfare savings
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Airport expansion has been proposed, but there is debate about its economic benefits. The question refers to the imbalance between outbound and inbound tourist flights from the UK.
Why does expanding UK airports have a shaky case for economic benefits when business air travel use isn't increasing, and three times as many tourists leave by plane compared to those arriving? Will the Chancellor urgently publish her evidence of any net benefits to the economy from airport expansion so it can be carefully examined?
To decide whether we are for growth or against growth, this Government are for growth. Further details of any particular project will be set out when developers come forward with their plans for the Government to consider.
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Assessment & feedback
Publication of evidence on economic benefits of airport expansion was not addressed directly; focus shifted to general support for growth policies and waiting for developer proposals.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Previous government's mismanagement has left flood defences in Barrow unfit for purpose, impacting local communities.
The previous Government’s mismanagement has left our flood defences unfit for purpose. Will the Chancellor set out what the Government are doing to increase community resilience against flooding and coastal erosion?
To protect from devastating impacts of flooding, we have committed £2.65 billion over 2024-25 to 2025-26 for improving flood defences and established a flood resilience taskforce which will report in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Pubs in Bridgwater, including Crossways Inn, are facing high business rates despite being at the heart of local communities.
Bridgwater’s 77 pubs overpay £500 million in business rates relative to turnover. Will the Chancellor commit to a British Beer and Pub Association’s call for a 20p cut in the small business multiplier and 15p off the standard multiplier, securing the future of British pubs?
We have frozen the small business rates multiplier this year and will introduce lower multipliers for retail hospitality and leisure premises from April 2026. Additionally, pubs benefit from increased duty relief on draft products.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific rate reductions proposed by pub association were not directly addressed; focus was on broader measures to support the sector.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
St Raph’s hospice faces a £140,000 increase in staff costs due to national insurance hikes.
Does the Chancellor think again about providing an exemption for healthcare providers from the national insurance rise given that it will lead to further cuts in staff services?
The Chancellor set out the Budget, changes apply differently to public sector organizations which are reimbursed. Changes do not apply to hospices as they are largely charities or non-public sectors; £100 million extra investment in improving hospices was announced.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Investment in the fifty500 midlands growth corridor is seen as an opportunity for growth and economic development.
Does the Minister agree that investment in the fifty500 midlands growth corridor will provide an excellent opportunity to deliver this Labour Government’s mission for growth and opportunity for all?
We join my hon. Friend in celebrating investment in her region; our growth mission benefits each part of the country, and we look forward to working further with her.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government announced a £100 million investment in hospices, including St Michael’s hospice in Basingstoke. The question addresses the need for ongoing support beyond this initial investment.
Given the vital role that hospices play in all our communities, will the Treasury continue to work with the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure the sector’s long-term financial stability?
As my hon. Friend rightly points out, £100 million is being made available for hospices—£25 million in 2024-25 and £75 million from April 2025. That capital funding is intended to help charitable hospices in his constituency and elsewhere across the country to improve and modernise their facilities and physical estate.
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Assessment & feedback
long-term financial stability
Referenced Existing Investment Without Committing To Future Support
Response accuracy