Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
No specific context provided, but the question relates to broader concerns about taxation levels.
If he will reduce the overall level of taxation. While I appreciate that this is largely as a result of the idiotic decision to lock down the country and the economy for the best part of two years, the Chancellor nevertheless finds himself presiding over a high-tax, high-spend, low-growth, quasi-socialist economy. When can those of us who remain Conservatives expect to see some tax cuts and a reduction in the burden of taxation?
Like all Conservatives, I believe in reducing the burden of taxation wherever possible, while always demonstrating a responsible approach to public finances. I thank my hon. Friend for the inimitable way in which he asked his question. I hope that he was reassured to some extent by the £9 billion cut in the planned level of corporation tax in the Budget, and, if we make the arrangement for capital allowances permanent, as I should like to, that will give us the best investment incentives anywhere in the OECD.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide a specific timeline or commitment regarding when general tax cuts will be implemented beyond mentioning corporation tax changes.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner defends the Chancellor against accusations of socialism while asking about a significant increase in excise tax for a distillery in his constituency.
May I be the first to defend the Chancellor, and indeed the shadow Chancellor, against any accusation of socialism? Can the Chancellor explain why the Cameronbridge distillery in my constituency, which is a major employer in an area of high unemployment, faces an increase of about £350 million in its excise tax bill this year? That is more than the additional amount that the Chancellor claims to be giving to the whole of Scotland. Will he explain why my constituents, and the companies that employ my constituents, are having to contribute additional taxes to pay for his economic failure?
Let me gently say to the hon. Member that the freeze in alcohol duty which we introduced in the autumn of 2021, and which will continue until August this year, has constituted a £2.7 billion tax cut over four years. We do everything we can to help the vital Scottish whisky industry.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not directly address why the excise tax for the distillery in question is increasing and its specific economic impact.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner acknowledges a tax cut in the Budget that has been welcomed by drivers but questions the timing of the decision.
There was a significant tax cut in the Budget that has been greatly welcomed by drivers in my constituency and elsewhere, namely the extension of the 5p cut in fuel duty and the freezing of the escalator, but does the Chancellor accept that by postponing that decision until an election year—next year—he is simply continuing the fuel duty fiction that our Committee has highlighted?
I am delighted that my hon. Friend welcomed the freezing of fuel duty, which means that over the period for which it has been frozen, the average motorist will have saved £200. There is a specific reason why I wanted to continue to freeze it this year: combined with the extension of the energy price guarantee, it will reduce CPI inflation by 0.7% in a year in which headline inflation is still over 10%.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not directly address whether the timing was politically motivated but explains reasons for continuing the freeze.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner criticises the Government for freezing income tax thresholds while allowing non-doms to avoid paying significant taxes.
How is it fair that the Government are picking the pockets of working people through frozen income tax thresholds while at the same time allowing the super-rich non-doms to effectively opt out of paying tax in this country, which is costing us £3.2 billion this year?
Let me remind the hon. Gentleman what we have done for people on low incomes. Because of the increase in the income tax and national insurance thresholds which was completed last year, those on the average wage of £28,000 pay £1,000 less in tax and national insurance than they would have paid at 2010 levels—that is a tax cut that his party opposed at each and every stage.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not directly address the fairness of freezing thresholds or explain the impact of non-dom status on tax revenue.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
No specific context provided, but the question relates to broader concerns about taxation levels and economic impacts.
If he will reduce the overall level of taxation. While I appreciate that this is largely as a result of the idiotic decision to lock down the country and the economy for the best part of two years, the Chancellor nevertheless finds himself presiding over a high-tax, high-spend, low-growth, quasi-socialist economy. When can those of us who remain Conservatives expect to see some tax cuts and a reduction in the burden of taxation?
Like all Conservatives, I believe in reducing the burden of taxation wherever possible, while always demonstrating a responsible approach to public finances. I thank my hon. Friend for the inimitable way in which he asked his question. I hope that he was reassured to some extent by the £9 billion cut in the planned level of corporation tax in the Budget, and, if we make the arrangement for capital allowances permanent, as I should like to, that will give us the best investment incentives anywhere in the OECD.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide a specific timeline or commitment regarding when general tax cuts will be implemented beyond mentioning corporation tax changes.
Response accuracy