Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Autumn Budget 2024

Wednesday 2 April 2025 · 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

  • Minister stated the previous government left a fiscal deficit that the autumn Budget 2024 aimed to address, partly funding a record settlement for Northern Ireland in 2025-26.
  • The Secretary of State engages in regular discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive regarding financial sustainability and revenue raising.
  • The Northern Ireland Office acknowledges challenges for SMEs due to tax rises but highlights the faster economic growth and lower unemployment compared to the rest of the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Bool Con South Northamptonshire
NHS Economy Northern Ireland
Context

The Royal College of General Practitioners in Northern Ireland has warned that the hike in national insurance contributions will be catastrophic for GP surgeries, with many practices struggling.

Question

What assessment he has made of the impact of the autumn Budget 2024 on Northern Ireland? The Royal College of General Practitioners in Northern Ireland says the increase in national insurance contributions is catastrophic for GP surgeries. Why are Ministers not doing more to talk to their colleagues in the Treasury?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

I would point out to the hon. Member that the previous Government left a fiscal black hole that had to be filled. The increase in expenditure resulting from the autumn Budget is helping to fund, in part, the record settlement that the Northern Ireland Executive have got for 2025-26.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address the specific concerns raised by the Royal College of General Practitioners regarding national insurance contributions and their impact on GP surgeries.

How: Changed Subject To Previous Government'S Legacy

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Northern Ireland
Context

The Committee will soon publish a report on the funding of public services, highlighting issues related to revenue raising by the Executive.

Question

What conversations is the Secretary of State having with the Executive to help deliver longer-term financial sustainability in Northern Ireland? The issue of revenue raising by the Executive continues to be highlighted. What discussions are taking place?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

I have regular discussions with the Executive about the financial situation and their plans. The truth is very simple: all Governments around the world, including the Northern Ireland Executive, have choices to make, with the resources available, as to whether they seek to raise revenue to fund more things, including further investment in health.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not provide specific details on the discussions regarding financial sustainability and revenue raising strategies.

How: General Statement About Government Choices

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Al Pinkerton Lib Dem Surrey Heath
Economy Taxation Northern Ireland
Context

Belfast Chamber, representing 600 businesses, warned that many Northern Irish businesses are being forced to freeze growth plans, halt recruitment, and cut jobs due to rising costs from national insurance contributions.

Question

What assessment has the Northern Ireland Office made of the impact of those tax rises on small and medium-sized enterprises? What practical discussions is the Secretary of State having with the Northern Ireland Executive to support SMEs, which are the future of Northern Ireland’s growth?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

Of course the increase in employer’s national insurance will be difficult for some firms—that is clearly the case—but, as I said, the North Ireland economy is growing faster than the rest of the United Kingdom and has low unemployment. The rest of today’s questions time has highlighted the huge areas of potential that the Northern Ireland economy has to continue to grow and create new jobs and businesses.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not provide a detailed assessment or practical measures for supporting SMEs affected by tax rises.

How: General Statement About Economic Growth

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Mike Wood Con Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Northern Ireland Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Northern Ireland Farming Minister estimates that three quarters of dairy farms could be hit by inheritance tax following the Chancellor’s changes.

Question

Does the Secretary of State recognise that the Budget is a direct threat to family farms and thousands of livelihoods across Northern Ireland? The farming minister in Northern Ireland estimates that 75% of dairy farms could be affected by inheritance tax due to recent budgetary changes.

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

The figures the hon. Gentleman just referred to do not reflect the Treasury’s assessment of the number of farms that will be affected, which is based on claims submitted in the past. I understand the farming industry’s concerns, but the Treasury is clear that, first, it will not hit the majority of farms and, secondly, we have to do something about very big landowners who buy a lot of land to avoid inheritance tax.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not fully acknowledge the concerns or provide reassurances for family farms affected by inheritance tax changes.

How: Disputed Figures And General Statements

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email