Topical Questions 2024-05-07
2024-05-07
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The shadow Chancellor asked about recent economic improvements, prompting the question on export data and growth forecasts.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. We should add to the Chancellor's statistics that we have the widest economic inequalities in Europe. Last week, Professor Sir Michael Marmot published new analysis showing significant increases in health inequalities—how long we live, and how long we live in good health—and that is particularly the case between the north and south-east England.
If the hon. Lady is concerned about economic inequalities, she will be horrified to know that they were even worse under the last Labour Government. They have been reduced under this Government. When it comes to health inequalities, it is this Government who are phasing out smoking for everyone under the age of 14—one of the biggest single things in a generation that will reduce health inequalities and mean that poorer people live longer.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific assessment on productivity loss due to health inequalities
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is about the government's carbon border adjustment mechanism and its compliance with free trade rules.
The Government's plans for a carbon border adjustment mechanism will create a level playing field for British manufacturers facing un-green, high-carbon competition from abroad, but to comply with free trade rules, the CBAM must be an environmental measure, rather than revenue-raising trade protectionism. Will Ministers confirm that it will be fiscally neutral and that any net receipts will be returned to taxpayers, perhaps even by cutting fuel duty or green levies on energy bills?
I can confirm that we are very alive to cost of living pressures caused by fuel duty. In fact, we spent £6.4 billion freezing the duties on fuel, which will save the average motorist £50 over the coming year.
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Assessment & feedback
Fiscal neutrality and net receipts returned to taxpayers
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is about the Chancellor's intention to abolish national insurance, with a focus on how it would be funded.
At the Budget, the Chancellor set out his intention to abolish national insurance—a £46 billion annual commitment with no clear plan as to how it would be paid for. One way to do it would be to merge income tax and national insurance. Does the Chancellor agree with analysis from the House of Commons Library that shows that merging those two would increase income tax by 8p in the pound?
Which is why it is not our policy.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is about the Chancellor's intention to abolish national insurance, with a focus on pensioners' tax burden.
That is strange, because the day after the Budget, the Chancellor told Sky News that “you can end that unfairness of taxing work: you can merge income tax and national insurance.” The late Chancellor, Nigel Lawson—the Prime Minister's hero—warned that merging them would destroy the contributory principle and create many losers, especially among the elderly. In fact, a retired pensioner with an average occupational pension income of £198 a week would pay an additional £738 a year in tax. Is the reason that the Conservatives will not come clean not that they are planning to pick pensioners' pockets to fund the abolition of national insurance?
If the right hon. Lady listened to my comments carefully, and I do not always give her credit for that, she would know that our policy is to abolish employees' national insurance, and that means we want to bring it down to zero. If Labour's strategy is to win the election by frightening pensioners with fake news stories, I would just say that Britain deserves better.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The question is about the taskforce on nature-related financial disclosures and its approach with the International Sustainability Standards Board.
The taskforce on nature-related financial disclosures came out with its framework last year. I would like an update on where we are with the International Sustainability Standards Board approach, because just as it has been a huge success for companies and for UK plc to switch to the recommendations of the taskforce on climate-related financial disclosure, it is vital for our planet that we also start to have the TNFD framework as standard right across the board.
My right hon. Friend is right that this issue is critical. I am pleased that the ISSB recently announced its intention to commence a research project on a nature thematic standard, carefully considering the TNFD's recommendations. His Majesty's Government have established a formal mechanism to assess the ISSB standards for suitability for the UK to ensure that with a general sustainability standard, and more specifically with a climate sustainability standard, we are doing the right thing for the UK. The Government will publish an implementation update on sustainability disclosure requirements shortly to provide further information for industry—watch this space.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is about the government's tax policies and their impact on public services.
We have all seen it: the richest Prime Minister in history has spent the weekend telling the public that his plan is working. Well, it is not working for people in Leeds East, whose taxes are going through the roof while our public services are on their knees. Would a better plan not be to go after the tax dodgers, rather than making ordinary people pay the price for this Government's abject failures?
I have to say that I find this hypocrisy astounding. First, if the Opposition objected to the national insurance cuts, why did the Leader of the Opposition say that he supported them? If the Opposition are so keen on abolishing tax dodging, why did they not support our Finance Bill, which had measures in place to do just that? They did not support it; they abstained on it.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The Bank of England has warned about potential fiscal losses from quantitative tightening.
I am concerned that the Bank of England's quantitative easing is not part of its official policy targeting and could cost £179 billion in Treasury underwriting. This is affecting our fiscal situation. Will HM Government encourage the Bank to hold these bonds until maturity?
The Treasury has no intention to change how the asset purchase facility works with the Bank of England. However, all measures are kept under close review by the Chancellor.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to holding bonds until maturity
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The Bank of England stated that remortgaging this year would cost families £240 more annually.
Families are paying £240 more each year from remortgaging. The Government's economic policies have led to inflation at 11%. Does the Chancellor acknowledge the impact on homeowners if interest rates rise further?
The most damaging issue is high inflation; we have reduced it to 3.2% and expect it to fall further. Interest rates are also falling, but the shadow Chancellor suggests this is not significant.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address impact on homeowners or remortgaging costs
Criticised Opposition
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
Businesses in rural constituencies are concerned about changes to tax arrangements.
Furnished holiday lets play a crucial role in the local economy. The change in tax arrangements has caused concern among these businesses. Will the Chancellor reconsider this decision?
We recognise FHLs' importance but need a level playing field with other lettings. Tax incentives will continue, ensuring fairness between short-term and long-term lets.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to revisiting decision
Level Playing Field
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Drivers in rural areas face high fuel costs, with an increase of 10p since the start of the year.
Rural drivers are heavily impacted by rising fuel costs. The average fill-up now costs £82.50 for a family car. What efforts will the Government make to help these people?
Fuel duty was frozen in the last fiscal event, saving the average driver £50.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address other measures or future plans
Response accuracy
Q11
Direct Answer
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Context
The Chancellor allocated funds for a police violence reduction unit in Bournemouth.
Thanking the Chancellor for allocating funds to a police violence reduction unit in my area, do I have his support that these units reduce crime by engaging with schools?
Violence reduction units are effective; they reduce crime, save lives. My right hon Friend was instrumental in making it a national policy.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q12
Direct Answer
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Context
Campaigners for justice in the contaminated blood scandal have been encouraged by recent reporting.
Time is of essence. Will the Chancellor indicate when the Government's promises will be fulfilled?
The Government are taking this seriously; it's only days before the report is published. We want to publish our response very quickly.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
The FCA's equality, diversity and inclusion policies may have a negative impact on businesses.
Does the Chancellor agree that recent overreach by the FCA regarding its EDI policies is counterproductive?
The FCA must focus on core functions; it should take into account industry representations.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to reversing policies or actions
Industry Representations
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
Families in the constituency are struggling with increased shop costs and mortgages.
The Chancellor recently claimed £100,000 a year is not a huge salary. Does he realise how out of touch that sounds to families earning much less?
The shadow Chancellor suggests falling inflation is not significant; I disagree.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address out of touch comment or financial struggles
Criticised Opposition
Response accuracy
Q15
Direct Answer
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Context
Organon, a leading pharmaceutical company in Cramlington, employs 700 people.
Will the Chancellor meet me to discuss the impact on pharmaceutical investment given Organon's role?
The industry is worth £14 billion; there has been a twelvefold increase in equity financing. I would be pleased to meet him.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
Rent costs have risen significantly by over £200 in Bath and north-east Somerset within the past three years, putting pressure on renters.
Soaring rent costs are the biggest reason why my constituents in Bath are struggling. The average monthly rent in Bath and north-east Somerset has risen by more than £200 in the past three years. What support will the Government give to people who rent in the private sector?
That is why we need to build more houses. The hon. Lady will be reassured to know that we are building record numbers of houses—in fact, more in the last year than in any single year under the previous Labour Government.
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Assessment & feedback
The question about rent support was avoided; instead, the answer focused on housebuilding efforts.
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
High business rates are causing significant difficulties for small and medium-sized businesses in Romford, a large retail centre.
I would like the Chancellor of the Exchequer to know that high business rates are having a devastating effect on small and medium-sized businesses in historic market towns, such as Romford, that are large retail centres. As the Government are business friendly, will he please look at ways to reduce the burden of business rates on local businesses in constituencies like mine?
May I say what a pleasure it is to be asked a question by my hon. Friend? I think this is the first time it has happened since he has been back. There is no more formidable a champion for Romford. He speaks about business rates, and we have indeed been doing what we can to bring them down at every fiscal event.
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Assessment & feedback
While acknowledging the issue of high business rates, the answer did not provide specific commitments or timelines for reducing their burden.
General Praise
Vague Reference
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
Many pensioners are entitled to pension credit but do not access it; only 1.4 million people currently receive the benefit.
What steps have been taken to support pensioners to know what benefits they are possibly entitled to? I understand that 1.4 million people access pension credit, but a great many more are entitled to it.
The hon. Gentleman will know that this is an issue that is close to my heart, as a former Pensions Minister. We did a huge amount of work to increase the uptake of pension credit. I know that this matters a lot to Members, and work is being done in everyone's constituency, including the hon. Gentleman's.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific steps or commitments regarding increasing awareness about pension credit entitlements.
Personal Sentiment
Vague Reference
Response accuracy
Q19
Direct Answer
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Context
Certain savers may lose benefits and part of their investment under the terms of the lifetime ISA.
The lifetime ISA is a positive instrument, but I understand that under its terms there are circumstances under which savers lose not only the benefits of the ISA but also part of their capital investment. That does not seem right; will the Minister please meet me to discuss it?
I am happy to meet my right hon. Friend to discuss the lifetime ISA, which is a fantastic product brought in by this Government to help young people to get on the housing ladder. I am happy to meet him to discuss ways in which we can make it more accessible for more people in more circumstances.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy