House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Taxes on Working People

Tuesday 29 October 2024 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

Ministers confirmed no tax increases on working people through national insurance, basic, higher, or additional rates of income tax, or VAT.
James Frith highlighted child poverty rates at 43% in Bury North, emphasizing the need to minimize tax rises for working people.
Laura Trott recalled the election campaign's focus on Labour's potential tax plans, particularly employer national insurance contributions, awaiting clarity from the upcoming Budget.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 James Frith Lab Bury North

Taxation Children & Families

Context

The MP is concerned about the economic situation in his constituency, particularly regarding tax burdens on working people.

Question

What steps she is taking to minimise taxes on working people. In Bury North, child poverty rates are at 43%, densely populated in three of our nine wards: Bury East, Redvales and Moorside. Does the Minister agree with me that minimising tax rises for working people is just the starting point, and that tackling the crippling level of impoverishment for those in work requires a laser focus and intervention from this mission-driven Government?

Answer from James Murray

As hon. Members know, any changes to tax policy will be set out in tomorrow's Budget. Our approach to fixing the foundations of the economy will protect working people by not increasing national insurance, basic, higher or additional rates of income tax, or VAT. My hon. Friend is absolutely right that, while keeping taxes on working people as low as possible is crucial, the way to make people better off in the long run is through boosting public and private investment, and delivering sustained economic growth.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP's specific ask regarding tackling child poverty was not addressed directly.

How: My Hon. Friend Is Absolutely Right That, While Keeping Taxes On Working People As Low As Possible Is Crucial, The Way To Make People Better Off In The Long Run Is Through Boosting Public And Private Investment, And Delivering Sustained Economic Growth.

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Q2 Blake Stephenson Con Mid Bedfordshire

Taxation

Context

The MP references the concerns of small business owners in his constituency regarding potential tax increases.

Question

People deserve certainty. In Mid Bedfordshire, we are proud of the hard work of the owners of nearly 5,000 small businesses. They are working people creating jobs and growing our economy, and all while providing for their families. They are lying awake at night worrying about yet higher taxes. Will the Chancellor give them a peaceful night's sleep ahead of tomorrow's Budget and confirm that she will honour her manifesto commitment not to raise taxes on them?

Answer from James Murray

I do not think I am pre-empting anything tomorrow by confirming that the Chancellor will absolutely stick to our commitment not to raise taxes on working people through national insurance, the basic, higher or additional rates of income tax, or VAT. And I might add that what people and businesses in the hon. Gentleman's constituency might want is stability in the economy, a Government who support investment in the economy, and a Government who will get the economy growing and make people across Britain better off.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP's specific ask about providing certainty to small business owners was not directly addressed with concrete actions or commitments beyond reiterating existing promises.

How: What People And Businesses In The Hon. Gentleman'S Constituency Might Want Is Stability In The Economy, A Government Who Support Investment In The Economy, And A Government Who Will Get The Economy Growing And Make People Across Britain Better Off.

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Q3 James Frith Lab Bury North

Economy Taxation Children & Families

Context

The MP is concerned about child poverty rates in his constituency, which stand at 43%.

Question

In Bury North, child poverty rates are at 43%, densely populated in three of our nine wards: Bury East, Redvales and Moorside. Does the Minister agree with me that minimising tax rises for working people is just the starting point, and that tackling the crippling level of impoverishment for those in work requires a laser focus and intervention from this mission-driven Government?

Answer from James Murray

My hon. Friend is absolutely right that, while keeping taxes on working people as low as possible is crucial, the way to make people better off in the long run is through boosting public and private investment, and delivering sustained economic growth. That is the focus of this Labour Government, and that will guide the choices we make.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding laser-focused intervention for child poverty was not directly addressed with concrete actions or commitments beyond general statements about economic growth.

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Q4 Laura Trott Con Sevenoaks

Taxation

Context

The MP references a press conference held during the election campaign highlighting Labour's funding gaps and potential tax rises.

Question

During the election campaign, I held a press conference at which I outlined the glaring funding gaps in Labour's plans and the taxes they might raise to pay for them. One of those taxes was employer national insurance contributions. The right hon. Member for Bristol North West (Darren Jones)—now Chief Secretary to the Treasury—responded at the time by arguing that this was a list of things that “Labour isn't doing.” Is it correct that raising employer national insurance contributions is something Labour isn't doing?

Answer from James Murray

The right hon. Member will have to wait for the Budget tomorrow. She was a Minister not that long ago, so she might still remember that the Budget is the time when such announcements are made. Let me restate our commitment, so it is crystal clear, that we will protect working people by not increasing national insurance, income tax or VAT.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP's specific ask regarding employer national insurance contributions was not directly addressed with concrete actions or commitments beyond general statements about protecting working people from tax rises.

How: She Was A Minister Not That Long Ago, So She Might Still Remember That The Budget Is The Time When Such Announcements Are Made.