Topical Questions 2023-03-21
2023-03-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Scotland leads in tidal stream generation, and the industry needs a larger budget to expand. The recent renewables auction proposes to halve the budget for tidal stream.
With Orbital O2 in Orkney and MeyGen—the largest tidal stream site in the world—Scotland leads the way in tidal stream generation. That industry is at a stage where it needs to expand and scale up, but to do so, it needs a bigger ringfenced budget. In the renewables auction announced last week, the Government propose to halve the budget for tidal stream instead of increasing it. Will the Chancellor meet me to discuss the impact and the opportunities for business?
We are interested in giving support to all forms of renewable energy, and the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury is very happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss those issues further.
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Assessment & feedback
The question asked about meeting specifically to address tidal stream budget cuts but answer was general offer for a meeting without commitment to specific discussion.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There is concern about delaying the lower Thames crossing due to its impact on Dartford's economy and traffic problems.
Delaying the lower Thames crossing will have a detrimental impact on Dartford's economy and on its traffic problems, so does the Chancellor of the Exchequer agree that the completion of the lower Thames crossing is vital if we are to promote economic growth, not just in Dartford but throughout the south-east of the country?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who has met me on a number of occasions to make the case for the Dartford crossing. Obviously, in the current difficult circumstances with inflationary pressures, we have had to make some tough choices, but I want to be very clear with my hon. Friend: we remain committed to delivering it. This is a two-year delay on construction, not a cancellation, and I will continue to update him in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer reiterates commitment but avoids direct confirmation of the crossing's vital role for economic growth.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Confidence has been shaken by recent bank failures. The shadow Chancellor questions if the ringfencing regime is adequate to protect taxpayers and depositors.
Confidence has been shaken by the recent bank failures and stock market falls across the world. Is the Chancellor confident that our ringfencing regime is adequate to protect taxpayers and depositors, when we have seen how fast these problems can spread? Can the Chancellor reassure the House that there are no other UK banks or subsidiaries that are vulnerable, and in light of recent developments, is he confident about the Financial Stability Board, or does it need to widen the number of banks regarded as systemically important?
I thank the shadow Chancellor for her question. The Government recognise that there is some volatility in the market, but we believe the UK financial system is fundamentally strong and UK banks are well capitalised. They now have core capital ratios that are three times higher than before the 2008 global financial crisis, but we continue to monitor the situation carefully.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer provided general reassurance without addressing specific confidence in the ringfencing regime's adequacy.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank UK has led to concerns over the reliance on single financial institutions, potentially leading to a credit squeeze.
I thank the Chancellor for that response, and am pleased that he continues to monitor the situation carefully, but the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank UK shows how our vibrant start-up sector—particularly in life sciences and tech—had become reliant on a single financial institution. The impact of these bank failures may be that other banks become more risk averse, restricting lending and raising interest rates, resulting in a credit squeeze, possibly even beyond the start-up sector. That would damage an already weak economy, so how will the Chancellor monitor the situation there and ensure that businesses have access to the long-term capital that they need to grow and to thrive?
The right hon. Lady is absolutely right to raise that issue. I said in the Budget that I would return with a full solution to those issues in the autumn statement, but ahead of that we will be making announcements on: pension industry reform, because we want to unlock the £5 trillion of assets in the pension industry; reforms to help companies scale up, so that they do not feel they have to move to other countries when they want to list; and, reforms to green finance so that people can access the capital they need. All those things will be a part of a comprehensive solution that we will be announcing shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer avoided specifics on monitoring business lending impact but discussed future reform announcements.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
GPs and consultants in Birmingham have expressed concern over the pension lifetime allowance cap, which has now been abolished.
For quite some time, GPs and consultants in Birmingham have expressed their frustration and concern with the pension lifetime allowance cap. I welcome the measures in the Budget last week to abolish it altogether, which will mean that we will see more GPs and consultants practising. Does my hon. Friend agree that it will also mean we will see more teachers and headteachers in the classroom and more police officers on the beat?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The measure will help public servants, hospital consultants, prison governors, headteachers and senior police leaders, which is why I agree with the hon. Member for Ilford North (Wes Streeting) when he said that removing the cap would save lives and that he himself would scrap the “crazy” cap.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specifics on how other professions will benefit but agreed with sentiment.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Research indicates that the average UK worker could be £11,000 better off if wage growth had continued at pre-2008 levels.
The Resolution Foundation recently found that if wage growth had continued on the same trajectory as pre-2008, the average UK worker would be £11,000 a year better off. Does the Minister accept that hard-working households can no longer afford to lose £11,000 a year as a result of this Government's perpetual mismanagement of the economy?
I welcome the universal credit reforms we have made, and also the fact that under this Government, by raising the basic income tax threshold, we have taken up to 3 million workers out of income tax altogether.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address household finances or economic mismanagement but focused on recent reforms.
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Welcomes Chancellor's decision to invest in childcare and requests for continued listening to independent and voluntary sector concerns.
I warmly welcome the Chancellor's big decision to invest in childcare and the early years in this Budget. One witness to the Education Committee—a long-standing campaigner on these issues—said they were elated to see the commitment the Chancellor made. Going forward, may I encourage him to continue to listen to the concerns of the independent and voluntary sector, which is crucial to the success of reforms in this space? I know he is a fan of workforce plans, so may I encourage him to consider the case for an early years workforce plan?
I thank my hon. Friend for his campaigning on this issue. He has long been a voice for reforms to childcare. He is absolutely right that this is one of the biggest sets of childcare reforms we have ever seen. That is why we are taking two and a half years to scale it up. We want to make sure that parents who want to take advantage of the new free hours offer can get the supply of childcare they need, and we will listen very carefully to what the Select Committee says.
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Assessment & feedback
Answer acknowledged importance but avoided specific commitment on independent sector concerns or early years workforce plan.
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The British Medical Association told the Chancellor that pension reforms for doctors would be less costly than the announced Budget measures.
When the Chancellor chaired the Health and Social Care Committee, the BMA told him that pension reforms just for doctors would be a fraction of the cost of what he announced in the Budget. Can he tell us precisely how many doctors the Treasury estimates will stay in work due to this untargeted tax giveaway for the top 1%?
It is not just about doctors leaving the profession, but doctors reducing their hours. The Royal College of Surgeons says that 69% of its members have reduced their hours as a result of the way that pension taxes used to work. Doctors themselves have welcomed the Budget warmly and as potentially transformative for the NHS.
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Assessment & feedback
The number of doctors expected to remain employed was not specified
Changing Subject To Hours Reduction
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The Chancellor announced £12 million in the Budget for capital regeneration projects to revitalise Dinnington's high street.
On behalf of all residents, I thank the Chancellor for the £12 million allocated to Dinnington. Can he look favourably on future applications for Maltby, Thurcroft and Swallownest so that they too can receive funding?
I admire my hon. Friend's consistency in campaigning for his constituency. We have confirmed an extra £20 million in the Budget and will continue to look with a constructive mindset at all bids brought forward.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details on future applications were not provided
Promised To Consider But No Specifics
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
The Chancellor is considering changing the state pension age, which could affect many people's retirement plans.
At the same time as tax cuts for high earners, are the Tories considering delaying state pensions? Will the Chancellor rule out such a change?
We follow a process that balances interests of taxpayers and pensioners. When it comes to reforms, we look at life expectancy data.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to not altering state pension timetable was avoided
Stated Process For Decision-Making Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The Chancellor has protected the new hospitals budget, but constituents are frustrated by delays in announcing a decision for the RAAC-ravaged Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn.
Given that the Chancellor has protected the hospitals budget, can I urge the announcement of decisions regarding the RAAC-ravaged Queen Elizabeth Hospital as soon as possible?
Given that I answered this question five weeks ago, we have not been able to make a decision yet. Conversations with the Secretary of State are ongoing.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline for announcement was avoided
Mentioned Conversations But No Specific Date
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
The head of the Institute for Fiscal Studies criticised the Chancellor's Budget as poorly designed and likely to worsen problems.
Given that the IFS has criticised the Chancellor's Budget, is it not a pretty damning verdict?
The comment was quoted out of context; the IFS also welcomed measures such as childcare reform.
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Assessment & feedback
Acknowledged but partially dismissed the criticism
Quoted Partial Context
Response accuracy
Q13
Direct Answer
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Context
The Chancellor has been asked about measures to ensure that credit flows to small and medium-sized enterprises, rural businesses, and startups.
Can the Chancellor give an assurance on actions to ensure credit flows to SMEs, rural businesses, and startups?
Yes, this Government are very keen to make sure that there is a strong flow of credit to the smallest businesses in society.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
The OBR has reported that there will be no real-terms growth in public services, despite a survey showing many millionaires support fair tax measures.
Given the OBR's analysis of last week's Budget and the Patriotic Millionaires UK survey, will the Chancellor look at introducing wealth taxes?
We did a lot for public services in the autumn statement, including £3 billion for schools and £8 billion for health and care. We support a progressive tax system.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to wealth taxes was avoided
Listed Other Measures But No Specifics On Wealth Tax
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
The Chancellor has announced childcare reforms, and families want to ensure these are realistic for full-time carers.
Will the Chancellor tweak the childcare initiative to enable one parent to care for children full-time?
These reforms will make a big difference. Our priority is parents who want to work and be prevented from working by current costs. We still have a 15-hour free childcare offer for all three and four-year-olds.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific adjustment was not promised
Stated Priority On Parents Who Work
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
Researchers estimate that the non-dom regime denies £3.2 billion per year to the Exchequer, but no steps were taken in last week's Budget.
Why did the Chancellor not take steps to abolish the non-dom regime despite researchers estimating it denies about £3.2 billion per year?
We have looked carefully at this and are concerned about behavioural ramifications and competitiveness with international partners.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to abolish or reform were avoided
Stated Concerns But No Changes
Response accuracy
Q17
Direct Answer
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Context
The UK's economy is being criticized by the Leader of the Opposition, but IMF data shows that the UK had the fastest-growing economy in G7 for two consecutive years.
I am concerned about the criticism of the UK as the sick man of Europe despite the fastest-growing economy in G7. Given the tech sector's growth in South Cambridgeshire, is there reason to be confident about the future?
I agree that despite challenges, there are reasons for confidence. The UK has become the third-largest tech sector in the world, after the US and China, due to the Conservative Government's efforts.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent faces difficulties closing national insurance contribution gaps before retirement due to conflicting advice from HMRC and DWP.
My constituent Fiona Cooper is facing issues with closing NI contributions gaps near retirement. She needs validation of her HMRC advice by the Department for Work and Pensions, which complicates matters. Does the Chancellor see this as a problem?
I remind the hon. Gentleman of my recent written ministerial statement extending deadlines for those in similar situations to Ms Cooper.
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Assessment & feedback
Reminds
Recent Statement
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
The Chancellor's change in pension rules for doctors was welcomed, but similar changes are needed for other professions to retain staff.
Given the successful relaxation of pension rules for doctors, will the Chancellor consider taking a similar approach to tackle retention issues across other health service professions?
My hon. Friend is correct about his expertise in NHS matters. We are indeed looking closely at the issue of retention, which is crucial alongside recruitment.
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Assessment & feedback
Looking Closely
Response accuracy
Q20
Partial Answer
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Context
Energy stakeholders stress the need for long-term solutions to support high energy costs through improved home efficiency.
Given that industry stakeholders seek long-term solutions, what steps will Ministers take to address rising household energy costs over time?
The hon. Lady is correct; we have measures in place to help with immediate challenges but also plan a 15% target for reducing energy consumption, alongside increasing UK energy supply.
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Assessment & feedback
Measures
Increasing Supply
Response accuracy
Q21
Partial Answer
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Context
The tech sector faced challenges but was saved without taxpayer cost. Now, there is ambition to ensure start-ups have access to necessary funding.
With the quick thinking by the Chancellor and Prime Minister, the tech sector's future looks bright. Can my right hon. Friend confirm his ongoing ambition for this sector, especially regarding HSBC's merger?
My hon. Friend is correct. The HSBC takeover provides a solution for Silicon Valley Bank issues, and we aim to give tech companies more financing options in the future.
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Assessment & feedback
Future Plans
Response accuracy