Topical Questions 2022-11-15
2022-11-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government allowed organised criminals and fraudsters to take billions of pounds of public money through covid loan fraud.
Why should hardworking people pay for the Prime Minister's fraud failures when he was Chancellor, and for the mini-Budget fiasco of the former Prime Minister?
Of course, there are lessons to be learned about the way those schemes were administered, but I am very proud that unemployment remains at a 50-year low because of the decisions that the Prime Minister took on the furlough scheme and Government-backed loans. That was the right thing to do.
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Assessment & feedback
Acknowledged lessons learned but did not address fraud losses or economic policy mistakes directly
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Small businesses and entrepreneurs in Bexleyheath and Crayford have been hit by the cost of living.
Will my right hon. Friend reassure me that this Government will do all they can to help small businesses across the country to thrive?
That is what Conservatives are all about so I am happy to give him that assurance. It is not just words; it is action: the halving of business rates for most retail, hospitality and leisure businesses; the freezing of the multiplier on business rates; the furlough scheme; the Government-backed loans and the energy price support that we are giving businesses.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Today's numbers show that real wages are down £1,000 a year.
Will the Chancellor tell the House where the UK is projected to finish in OECD growth rates over the next year?
May I say what a pleasure it is to do my first questions session with the right hon. Lady? I will very happily tell her about the international situation. Inflation is higher in Germany, the Netherlands, the eurozone and Italy. Our growth forecasts are falling less than the forecasts in Germany.
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Assessment & feedback
Acknowledged international comparison but did not address UK's projected position directly
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK is forecast to finish last among advanced OECD economies.
Why does not the Chancellor match Labour's ambitions for British industries in hydrogen, insulation, carbon capture, solar, nuclear and wind power to create new jobs here in Britain?
We will have many exchanges, so I ask the hon. Lady, when she picks a statistic about next year's growth, not to do so too selectively because this year, we have the fastest growth in the G7. Since 2010, we have had the third highest growth rate in the G7, and we have the lowest unemployment for more than 40 years.
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Assessment & feedback
Acknowledged economic performance but did not address Labour's green energy policies directly
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
Given that we have an energy crisis, will the Government allow onshore wind where communities want it, require built-in photovoltaics, where they will work, on new homes, and allow solar farms on 3b land?
Further to my previous answer, the Government are serious about delivering cheaper, cleaner and more secure power. That is why we included onshore wind and solar in the latest contracts for difference auction round, and we will include them in future rounds.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Austerity is a damaging Tory political choice, which is responsible for 330,000 excess deaths.
Will the Chancellor consider taxing share buy-backs, as the US and Canada have done?
The hon. Member had better listen to what we say on Thursday before she jumps to conclusions. We will approach the difficult situation that we face progressively. We will ask those who have more to give more.
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Assessment & feedback
Acknowledged progressive taxation but did not address share buy-backs directly
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Putin's illegal war in Ukraine has driven up energy prices across the world.
What is the long-term plan to reduce our dependence on gas so that taxpayers do not have to subsidise energy bills?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to point to the challenge of the past two years. Nationally, we are spending £140 billion more on energy. That is almost like supporting an entire second NHS. We have to have a long-term solution that is about energy independence and energy efficiency.
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Assessment & feedback
Acknowledged energy cost increase but did not provide specific plan for reducing gas dependence
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns have been raised about the adequacy of the £100 payment proposed by the Government to support off-grid households with heating costs. Details on timing and delivery are still awaited.
The Chancellor will be aware of concerns about the adequacy of the £100 payment that the Government have proposed to support off-grid households with the cost of their heating. It is equally concerning that we still await details of when and how it will be paid, as well as the support that will be made available to off-grid businesses. When will the Government publish that information?
Like the hon. Gentleman, I represent a rural constituency, where probably the majority of households use heating oil. As he knows, the alternative fuel payment will ensure that all households that do not benefit from the energy price guarantee receive support for the cost of the fuel they use. We are currently consulting the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the timing and delivery mechanism for the alternative fuel payment. We are committed to delivering it this winter.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details on timing and delivery mechanism were not provided
We Are Committed To
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
FairFuelUK's survey of 17,000 motorists and hauliers shows they continue to face high fuel taxation. The Chancellor has benefited from this tax revenue.
FairFuelUK's latest survey of 17,000 motorists and hauliers shows that they continue to be punished by crippling and needlessly high fuel taxation, from which the Treasury has benefited to the tune of £3 billion. That is why I am backing the campaign of and FairFuelUK to keep the fuel duty cut at the very least. Does the Chancellor agree?
My hon. Friend, like The Sun newspaper, is a champion of motorists, hauliers and all those in his constituency who rely on petrol and diesel vehicles for their—[Interruption.] Opposition Members laugh, but my hon. Friend is standing up for his constituents and doing the right thing. He is absolutely right to highlight the huge tax cut we put in place in the spring statement, worth £2.4 billion, through 5p a litre off the duty rate on petrol and diesel for 12 months. Of course, I cannot make fiscal decisions at the Dispatch Box, but we do keep these matters under review.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific agreement was not given, only that matter is reviewed
We Keep Matters Under Review
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Bradford submitted a levelling-up fund bid to build three new community-led health centres that would deliver transformational benefits. The bid aims to reverse health inequalities in Bradford.
Earlier this year, Bradford submitted a levelling-up fund bid—the only bid developed from the grassroots up by local community groups—to build three new community-led health centres that would deliver transformational benefits for Bradford and act to reverse the crippling health inequalities that we face. Ahead of the announcement on Thursday, does the Chancellor see that if he does not back grassroots, community-led transformational projects like this, it is clear that the Government's levelling-up agenda is truly dead?
The Government are completely committed to levelling up. As the hon. Gentleman knows, there is a second round of bids for the levelling-up fund. The results will be announced in due course, but he has made a very effective representation on behalf of his constituents and local authority.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific agreement was not given, only that government is committed to levelling up
We Are Committed
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The FCA refused to investigate the Blackmore Bond scandal despite receiving over 30 complaints and evidence from a whistleblower. The issue predates the Minister's appointment.
As chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on personal banking and fairer financial services, I have been in protracted correspondence with the Financial Conduct Authority about the Blackmore Bond scandal. Despite receiving more than 30 complaints and a whistleblower producing evidence, the FCA refused to investigate. I realise that it predates my hon. Friend's appointment, but will he investigate this and force the FCA to take action?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this case. It was, sadly, outside the FCA perimeter, but I would be happy to meet him, because I understand that it raises important issues for him and his constituents.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific action by the Minister not addressed
It Was Outside The Fca Perimeter
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
Increasing borrowing costs are impacting housing associations such as Parkhead Housing Association. Previously, they could borrow at fixed rates for long periods.
It is not just individual mortgage payers who are impacted by increasing borrowing costs; that is a particular problem for housing associations such as Parkhead Housing Association, which I spoke to this morning. Previously, housing associations were able to borrow at fixed rates of 25 and 30 years, but that has been reduced. Would the Chancellor be willing to meet me, to look at how we can pursue this with lenders, to ensure that we do not stifle competition when it comes to building housing association properties?
We are looking carefully at that issue, and I would be happy for the hon. Gentleman to meet one of my Ministers.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific meeting with Chancellor not agreed upon
I Would Be Happy For Him To Meet
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Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
The hon. Member previously met the Chancellor's predecessor in Rother Valley and discussed levelling up. He is seeking a similar meeting with the current Chancellor.
I welcomed the Chancellor's predecessor to Rother Valley in the summer, to show him Dinnington high street and the money that was needed to upgrade it. He agreed to meet me further about levelling up. Will the Chancellor come to Rother Valley and Dinnington high street to see the levelling-up fund money that we need when the bid is in, and will he look kindly on our bid and make sure the whole of Rother Valley is levelled up?
I am aware of my hon. Friend's outstanding bid, and I would be happy to visit him to discuss the needs of his community and all the work he has done over the last couple of years to stand up for his constituents and secure investment in his community.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific visit not confirmed
I Would Be Happy To Visit Him
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent lost money on a fraudulent product recommended by an FCA-regulated broker. The hon. Member is seeking support from the FCA and other regulators.
My constituent registered with a regulated firm and invested in the financial product that an FCA-regulated broker recommended. My constituent and her father both lost money on the fraudulent product that the broker recommended. Does the Minister agree that the FCA should step in and support victims of scams, and will he empower and instruct the FCA and other regulators to be more aggressive in their support of the defrauded?
I will happily meet the hon. Member to understand more details of the case. It is important that the FCA provides protection for consumers. That is one of the objectives of the Financial Services and Markets Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific empowerment not agreed upon
I Will Happily Meet
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
OnSide's youth centres do an incredible job of transforming people's lives, and the hon. Member is seeking support for a similar project in her constituency.
OnSide's youth centres do an incredible job of transforming people's lives, and I think young people in my constituency deserve that opportunity too. Will the Chancellor support my calls for the levelling-up fund to be spent on that important project in West Bromwich?
I am aware of the outstanding bid from my hon. Friend's constituency. I cannot reveal the outcome of the deliberations on that competitive process, but I will be looking carefully at her bid and liaising with other Ministers on the outcome of that round.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific support not given
I Cannot Reveal
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
Civil servants from the PCS union voted to take industrial action, and the Royal College of Nursing has also voted to strike over pay due to cost of living issues.
Last week, over 100,000 civil servants from the Public and Commercial Services Union voted to take industrial action following attacks on their jobs. For the first time ever, the Royal College of Nursing has voted to strike over pay. Lecturers, health workers, teachers, postal and transport workers—all people who aim to support this country—are suffering because of the cost of living crisis and the former Prime Minister's £30 billion ideological rant. The autumn statement needs to show that working people are being listened to. Will it do that, or will it just punish them?
I believe it will do that, because the cost of living crisis is at the top of our minds. We recognise the hard work that public servants do in a whole range of sectors and, as I know, with my background, in the health service as well. We must tread a fine line, however, because if we give inflation-busting pay awards to people who may deserve them and may be working extremely hard, that will fuel further inflation.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific measures or actions in the autumn statement beyond acknowledging the cost of living crisis is a priority.
We Must Tread A Fine Line
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
The Bedford to Cambridge section of East West Rail has been rated as 'unachievable' and a 'waste of taxpayers' money', yet growth in the Ox-Cam arc does not depend on it.
The Bedford to Cambridge section of East West Rail is rated “unachievable” by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and a “waste of taxpayers' money” by the Business Secretary, and growth in the Ox-Cam arc does not depend on it. Can the Chancellor use the autumn statement to finally clear the uncertainty around this deeply flawed project?
I paid tribute to my hon. Friend's huge business experience and his time at the Treasury on Second Reading of the UK Infrastructure Bank Bill. Perhaps we should both read the report that my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes South (Iain Stewart) referred to earlier, because as my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Richard Fuller) knows, we strongly support the growth potential of the Ox-Cam arc.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address any uncertainty surrounding the project but instead discussed the growth potential of the Ox-Cam arc.
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
Government advice to sit in the shade is not enough; sunscreen products need to be more affordable. There is a VAT Burn campaign to save NHS money and keep cash in pockets while protecting skin from cancer.
Government advice to sit in the shade is not enough to protect our skin. Sunscreen products need to be more affordable. Will the Minister work with me and support my VAT Burn campaign to save the NHS money, keep more cash in our constituents' pockets and help to protect our skin from melanoma and non-melanoma cancers?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. The Government received about £143 billion in the last financial year from value added tax, which helps to pay for the services that we all care about, such as the national health service, so strict restrictions have been placed on the goods that can be exempted from VAT.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to supporting the VAT Burn campaign but acknowledged concerns and offered to discuss other forms of support.
Strict Restrictions Have Been Placed
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
The noble Lord Berkeley estimates that scrapping HS2 would save the British taxpayer £147 billion. There are pessimistic estimates suggesting a savings of £100 billion.
The noble Lord Berkeley in the other place has estimated that scrapping HS2 would save the British taxpayer £147 billion—more pessimistic estimates have the saving at £100 billion. With a day of difficult decisions coming up on Thursday, surely scrapping HS2 is an easy one?
My hon. Friend is consistent on this point. We are always keen to hear savings suggestions from colleagues, but to be clear, HS2 is a long-term investment that will bring our biggest cities closer together and boost productivity.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to scrapping the project but acknowledged its importance as an investment in boosting productivity.
Long-Term Investment
Response accuracy
Q20
Partial Answer
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Context
The Chancellor was mentioned alongside former Chancellor Lord Alistair Darling. Sir John Major recently gave a speech in Huddersfield analyzing what has gone wrong with the economy since 2010.
The Chancellor just mentioned my good friend Lord Alistair Darling. He should also look at the recent speech made in Huddersfield by another former Chancellor, Sir John Major. His analysis of what has happened to our economy since the Conservatives took over in 2010 is an absolute masterclass in what has gone wrong and what needs to be put right. Will the Chancellor read it and think about it before Thursday?
I always listen very carefully to anything that Sir John Major says. I know that he took difficult decisions that put the economy in excellent shape.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to reading or considering the speech specifically but acknowledged listening to Sir John Major's opinions.
I Always Listen Very Carefully
Response accuracy
Q21
Partial Answer
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Context
Voters of middle England fear being dragged into becoming higher rate taxpayers and are concerned about their pension pots.
As the Chancellor prepares for his autumn statement, will he remember the good voters of middle England—people who have rarely, if ever, been on benefits and who have worked all their lives for their mortgage and pension pot? They fear that more and more of them will be dragged into becoming higher rate taxpayers and that their pension pot will be attacked so that the state can get larger and more can be spent on those on benefits.
Absolutely. I say to my right hon. Friend that it is the good voters of middle England who want us to be a country that pays its way, that does not borrow at the expense of future generations, and that can be trusted when it comes to sound money.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific measures but acknowledged the importance of sound financial policies for middle England voters.
Country That Pays Its Way
Does Not Borrow
Response accuracy
Q22
Partial Answer
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Context
Skyrocketing inflation has reduced the Scottish Government's annual budget by up to £900 million. The UK government needs to devolve more borrowing powers to Scotland.
Skyrocketing inflation, much of it caused by calamities on the Government Benches, means that the Scottish Government's annual budget is worth up to £900 million less than it was just a few weeks ago. When will the UK Government devolve more borrowing powers to Scotland, so we can give the extra, desperately needed assistance to those struggling the most in our country?
I spoke about such matters with Jon Swinney, in my second conversation with him since appointment three weeks ago, last evening. We discussed a range of matters, and I will always try to be as constructive as I can to find ways forward when the whole of the United Kingdom faces the inflationary scourge everywhere.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to devolving borrowing powers but acknowledged ongoing discussions with Scottish Government.
Try To Be As Constructive As I Can
Response accuracy
Q23
Partial Answer
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Context
Both the questioner and Chancellor agree on the need for a substantial increase in defence spending.
Given that we both agree on the need for a substantial increase in defence spending, does the Chancellor accept that any immediate, necessary freeze on it should not prejudice the goal of 3% of GDP in the medium term?
Let me just say to my right hon. Friend that he and I both agree on the vital responsibility of any Government to defend their shores and their peoples, and we are committed to doing what it takes to make sure we do that.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific measures regarding freezing defence spending but acknowledged commitment to defending the nation.
Committed To Doing What It Takes
Response accuracy
Q24
Partial Answer
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Context
Lord Deben, chair of the Climate Change Committee, highlighted demand reduction as a critical gap in UK energy policy.
In a letter to the Chancellor last week, Lord Deben said clearly that demand reduction is “now the biggest gap” in UK energy policy. Will Thursday's autumn statement include an emergency investment of at least £3.6 billion over the course of this Parliament, so we can finally roll out the long-awaited and very overdue home insulation programme that this country needs?
Lord Deben speaks extremely wisely on environmental and climate change issues, and we would always take what he says with the utmost seriousness.
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Assessment & feedback
£3.6 billion emergency investment for home insulation programme
Takes Seriously
Response accuracy