In the 2019 Queen's Speech, the rationale for reform was set out as being to “ensure our tax system is supporting Scottish whisky and gin producers and protecting 42,000 jobs”—including many in my constituency. How would the Chancellor square that with the actual proposals, which will tax domestic producers more than those of imported cava, prosecco and champagne; do not take into account how people consume spirits with mixers, the sugar and calorific content or his own Government's health policies; and actually increase the competitive disadvantage of an important domestic sector compared with the international one?

At the weekend it was briefed that the Government will set up a star chamber to crack down on waste—which, frankly, has been the hallmark of this Government. Indeed, the Government's own accounts show that the incompetent way in which the business support schemes were structured meant that the Chancellor has allowed fraudsters to walk away with £6.5 billion of taxpayers' money. That would be more than enough to cut the basic rate of income tax by a penny in the pound, worth £370 a year to basic rate taxpayers. So can the Chancellor explain why quick electronic checks such as cross-referencing with HMRC tax data were not conducted before money was handed out? Given this huge waste of taxpayers' money, can the Chancellor confirm that he will be the first witness in front of his own star chamber?

The Chancellor might be relaxed about handing out £6.5 billion, or perhaps it is £4 billion, to companies that did not deserve it, but we on this side of the House are absolutely not. It is reported that a £4.7 million loan was given to a business founded just two days before it was handed the cash. It should not be beyond the wit of Government to get money to where it needs to go—to great British business—without allowing fraudsters to steal taxpayer funds. Leaving the till open and unattended for thieves to clear out would be a sackable offence for a shop worker, yet apparently it is acceptable for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Staggeringly, only one in 40 cases where fraud has been reported is actually being pursued. Let me ask the Chancellor this: when was he first alerted to this fraud, and how much does he think taxpayers will get back from the billions of pounds lost to fraudsters?

I thank the Chancellor for his hugely successful plan for jobs. I recently visited an organisation in Telford called Teach A Trade, which successfully trains long-term unemployed and older people changing careers to get gas and electrical qualifications, which are in short supply in my constituency. What is his Department doing to work with organisations such as Telford's Teach A Trade to make these courses more accessible to more students? Can he please tell me what his Department can do to help Telford's Teach A Trade so that it can expand the excellent work it is doing?

In this season of generosity, will the Chancellor extend the lower rate of VAT beyond March next year to help the hard-pressed hospitality and tourism sector?

Does my right hon. Friend agree that imposing a new tax on an already hard-hit sector like hospitality in Wales shows that Labour-nationalist coalitions are bad for business and economy?

Why can the Government not improve statutory sick pay so more people can afford to self-isolate and recover from illness?

Will the Minister meet the River Severn Partnership to discuss funding solutions?

How much longer will constituents have to wait for NHS dentists, and what financial support is being given?

Will the Minister confirm that the tax cut will be seen in people's bank accounts by Christmas?

Will the Government commit to a fresh and independent review of the loan charge?

How is progress on the Darlington economic campus, and how many Treasury staff are now in Darlington?

Will the Chancellor categorically deny that he or any officials attended any of the Downing Street Christmas parties in December 2021?

I am concerned that while the step taken to cut business rates by 50% for retail, hospitality and leisure companies means that 90% of all eligible businesses will see a cut of at least 50%, it is important to ensure this measure helps many businesses not only survive but flourish.

Given that the Government made a solemn pledge back in 2012 to build it, can the Chancellor please advise me on when it will finally be built—or will this be yet another broken Tory promise?

Can the Chancellor confirm that, contrary to industry suggestions, the Government remain committed to legislating for access to cash as soon as possible?

When will good people such as my constituents get access not to a VIP lane, but to a level playing field?

Does my right hon. Friend the Chancellor agree that rolling it out further, and migrating people currently on legacy benefits, will help even more people make work pay?

Can the Minister say what due diligence has been done on the project company and its owners, and if he and ministerial colleagues will protect our national infrastructure from these alleged fraudsters by stopping the disastrous project once and for all?

When the Chancellor is next up in Teesside, will he come with me to Eston, and meet leaders at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to see what can be done to level up Eston Square?

Will he therefore consider sympathetically the cross-party letter he has received from over 100 parliamentarians calling for a review of the law governing mutuals?

May I tell it that the Chancellor will fund those improvements?