Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Economic Stability

Tuesday 3 September 2024 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government are taking action with three pillars: stability, investment and reform.
  • The problem of temporary accommodation crisis is recognised, but no specific commitment was made to meet council leaders.
  • Agrees on the need for transparency, highlighting the 22 billion black hole and higher deficit due to previous government's actions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Noah Law Lab St Austell and Newquay
Economy
Context

The Chancellor has inherited a difficult fiscal situation from the previous government.

Question

What steps she is taking to help ensure economic stability. Given the fiscal inheritance, workers and pensioners above the personal allowance threshold have faced burdens due to fiscal drag. What measures are being taken to prevent further burdens?

Answer from Tulip Siddiq

The Government are taking action with three pillars: stability, investment and reform. Sustainable public finances are necessary for economic stability, with difficult decisions in the Budget on 30 October. The Government cannot undo previous decisions but aim to support those most affected through £0.5 billion extension of household support fund until March 2025.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures to prevent further fiscal drag burdens were not detailed beyond general aims and funding extension.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Noah Law Lab St Austell and Newquay
Housing
Context

The cost of temporary accommodation is spiralling, affecting local government and vulnerable households.

Question

Will the Chancellor meet me and other council leaders to discuss immediate support for tackling the temporary accommodation crisis?

Answer from Tulip Siddiq

The problem is recognised, but no specific commitment or plan was made to meet the hon. Gentleman or local leaders. Refers comments to Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Not addressed: Meeting request not addressed directly.

How: Referring To Another Official

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Josh Babarinde Lib Dem Eastbourne
Economy Standards & Ethics
Context

The previous government left a £22 billion black hole and hidden unfunded spending commitments.

Question

Does the Minister agree that transparency is crucial given the discovered public finance issues from the last Government?

Answer from Tulip Siddiq

Agrees on the need for transparency, highlighting the £22 billion black hole and higher deficit due to previous government's recklessness. Sets out a clear spending plan at the Budget.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Economy Taxation
Context

The House of Commons Library estimates the cost of the COVID-19 disaster is between £315 billion and £415 billion.

Question

How does her figure of a £22 billion black hole align with the estimated costs of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Answer from Tulip Siddiq

Gently points out that had our economy grown at OECD average rates, it would have been £140 billion larger. Under Conservatives, tax burden rose to its highest level for 70 years and there was a significant drop in household real disposable incomes.

How: Criticizing Previous Government

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Julian Lewis Con New Forest East
NHS Economy
Context

The Chancellor faces a difficult fiscal situation inherited from the last government.

Question

What steps she is taking to help ensure economic stability. Given the difficulties, what are specific steps being taken to support those affected by fiscal drag?

Answer from Tulip Siddiq

The Government are taking a three-pillar approach with £22.6 billion in additional NHS funding, including capital investment and recruitment of doctors and nurses. The difficult decisions for the Budget will secure public finances.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to prevent further fiscal drag burdens were not detailed beyond general economic measures.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email