Taxes on Working People 2024-10-29
2024-10-29
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the economic situation in his constituency, particularly regarding tax burdens on working people.
What steps she is taking to minimise taxes on working people. In Bury North, child poverty rates are at 43%, densely populated in three of our nine wards: Bury East, Redvales and Moorside. Does the Minister agree with me that minimising tax rises for working people is just the starting point, and that tackling the crippling level of impoverishment for those in work requires a laser focus and intervention from this mission-driven Government?
As hon. Members know, any changes to tax policy will be set out in tomorrow's Budget. Our approach to fixing the foundations of the economy will protect working people by not increasing national insurance, basic, higher or additional rates of income tax, or VAT. My hon. Friend is absolutely right that, while keeping taxes on working people as low as possible is crucial, the way to make people better off in the long run is through boosting public and private investment, and delivering sustained economic growth.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP's specific ask regarding tackling child poverty was not addressed directly.
My Hon. Friend Is Absolutely Right That, While Keeping Taxes On Working People As Low As Possible Is Crucial, The Way To Make People Better Off In The Long Run Is Through Boosting Public And Private Investment, And Delivering Sustained Economic Growth.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP references the concerns of small business owners in his constituency regarding potential tax increases.
People deserve certainty. In Mid Bedfordshire, we are proud of the hard work of the owners of nearly 5,000 small businesses. They are working people creating jobs and growing our economy, and all while providing for their families. They are lying awake at night worrying about yet higher taxes. Will the Chancellor give them a peaceful night's sleep ahead of tomorrow's Budget and confirm that she will honour her manifesto commitment not to raise taxes on them?
I do not think I am pre-empting anything tomorrow by confirming that the Chancellor will absolutely stick to our commitment not to raise taxes on working people through national insurance, the basic, higher or additional rates of income tax, or VAT. And I might add that what people and businesses in the hon. Gentleman's constituency might want is stability in the economy, a Government who support investment in the economy, and a Government who will get the economy growing and make people across Britain better off.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP's specific ask about providing certainty to small business owners was not directly addressed with concrete actions or commitments beyond reiterating existing promises.
What People And Businesses In The Hon. Gentleman'S Constituency Might Want Is Stability In The Economy, A Government Who Support Investment In The Economy, And A Government Who Will Get The Economy Growing And Make People Across Britain Better Off.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about child poverty rates in his constituency, which stand at 43%.
In Bury North, child poverty rates are at 43%, densely populated in three of our nine wards: Bury East, Redvales and Moorside. Does the Minister agree with me that minimising tax rises for working people is just the starting point, and that tackling the crippling level of impoverishment for those in work requires a laser focus and intervention from this mission-driven Government?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that, while keeping taxes on working people as low as possible is crucial, the way to make people better off in the long run is through boosting public and private investment, and delivering sustained economic growth. That is the focus of this Labour Government, and that will guide the choices we make.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask regarding laser-focused intervention for child poverty was not directly addressed with concrete actions or commitments beyond general statements about economic growth.
My Hon. Friend Is Absolutely Right That, While Keeping Taxes On Working People As Low As Possible Is Crucial, The Way To Make People Better Off In The Long Run Is Through Boosting Public And Private Investment, And Delivering Sustained Economic Growth.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP references a press conference held during the election campaign highlighting Labour's funding gaps and potential tax rises.
During the election campaign, I held a press conference at which I outlined the glaring funding gaps in Labour's plans and the taxes they might raise to pay for them. One of those taxes was employer national insurance contributions. The right hon. Member for Bristol North West (Darren Jones)—now Chief Secretary to the Treasury—responded at the time by arguing that this was a list of things that “Labour isn't doing.” Is it correct that raising employer national insurance contributions is something Labour isn't doing?
The right hon. Member will have to wait for the Budget tomorrow. She was a Minister not that long ago, so she might still remember that the Budget is the time when such announcements are made. Let me restate our commitment, so it is crystal clear, that we will protect working people by not increasing national insurance, income tax or VAT.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP's specific ask regarding employer national insurance contributions was not directly addressed with concrete actions or commitments beyond general statements about protecting working people from tax rises.
She Was A Minister Not That Long Ago, So She Might Still Remember That The Budget Is The Time When Such Announcements Are Made.
Response accuracy