Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 8 April 2025 · 11 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial responses indicated a commitment to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, the highest since the end of the cold war.
  • The Chancellor assured that decisions were taken to support businesses and bring growth back, addressing fiscal targets and business uncertainty.
  • Responses highlighted the Government's support for public services and spending settlements for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, emphasizing the SNP's responsibility to invest wisely.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Douglas McAllister Lab West Dunbartonshire
Economy Scotland
Context

The Chancellor previously outlined a clear plan to drive better value for taxpayers through the transformation fund. The SNP is accused of wasting resources.

Question

The Chancellor set out in the spring statement a clear plan to drive better value for taxpayers, including through the transformation fund, which will transform frontline delivery while making savings in the long term. Does he agree that that is in stark contrast to the SNP Scottish Government’s record of waste?

Answer from The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Darren Jones)

As my hon. Friend knows, we have given the Scottish Government the largest increase in spending since devolution began. The people of Scotland expect that money to be spent well, which we are doing in England by transforming public services and improving the national health service. However, given that SNP Members are not present in the Chamber today, the people of Scotland need to know that they will have to elect a Labour Government in Scotland later next year for that to happen.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q2 Mel Stride Con Central Devon
Economy Taxation
Context

The UK faces potential tariff issues due to the President of the United States. Businesses are uncertain about future tax increases.

Question

May I ask him this: the fiscal targets are looking like they will be under a great deal of pressure come the autumn. There is a great deal of speculation and uncertainty among businesses as to whether this will lead to tax increases. Can he take away that uncertainty now, particularly given the tariffs and all the uncertainty that is vested in that, to make it clear at that Dispatch Box that there will be no further increases in taxation on businesses this Parliament?

Answer from The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Darren Jones)

My apologies, Mr Speaker. It was our ordering that caused the problem, not the ordering of questions in the House. The right hon. Gentleman knows that tight decisions were taken at the Budget, but we have been very clear that we are working hand in glove with businesses to be able to bring growth back to the economy and to ensure that investment—private sector and public sector—is coming forward.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q3 Catherine Atkinson Lab Derby North
Defence Economy
Context

The UK defence sector is a crucial part of the local economy in Derby. A £9 billion deal was struck with Rolls-Royce to support Royal Navy submarines.

Question

The defence sector is a vital part of our local economy in Derby, particularly with the landmark £9 billion deal struck with Rolls-Royce, which is supporting the Royal Navy’s submarines and providing a major jobs boost. Does the Chancellor agree that national security goes hand in hand with economic security and, in turn, financial security for households?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

The first duty of any Government is to keep the nation safe. That is why we are increasing defence spending as a share of GDP to 2.5%—the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the cold war. Derby has a vital role to play within the UK’s defence sector, particularly in nuclear engineering and aerospace, as demonstrated by the landmark £9 billion deal with Rolls-Royce, which will create up to 1,000 jobs in the city and protect thousands more.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q4 Daisy Cooper Lib Dem St Albans
Business & Trade
Context

The UK is facing tariffs from President Trump, affecting the automotive sector. Businesses are looking for new support measures.

Question

I welcome the fast action by the Government to convene the automotive industry in reaction to President Trump’s damaging tariffs, but the measures in and of themselves will not create new export markets or stimulate demand here in the UK. Will Ministers look at Liberal Democrat calls to reintroduce the plug-in car grant and equalise VAT for electric vehicle pavement charging? Will the Government instruct the valuation office to scrap business rates for EV charging bays until the transition is complete?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

The support that we announced yesterday on the phase-out of internal combustion engine cars was very much welcomed by the automotive sector. It will give much more flexibility around the allowances and around plug-in hybrid vehicles. All of that is welcome, but we are keeping a watching brief as well as trying to ensure that there are new markets for cars made in Britain in other countries around the world by securing more trade deals.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q5 Oliver Ryan Labour (Co-op) Burnley
Economy Employment
Context

Burnley has been forgotten for 14 years under the previous Government. Businesses need support.

Question

What is the Chancellor doing to support businesses and boost wages in towns such as Burney, Padiham and Brierfield, which were forgotten for 14 years under the previous Government?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

My hon. Friend is doing great work supporting local businesses in Burnley, including the digital marketing start-up Door4, which I know he has been championing.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q6 Vikki Slade Lib Dem Mid Dorset and North Poole
Employment Energy Business & Trade
Context

Local businesses in the hospitality sector are facing extreme trading conditions due to various costs.

Question

I have been contacted by many local businesses, including the Cross Keys pub in the Holt Heath nature reserve and the BEAR café in Wimborne. They are two different venues in two different locations, but both tell me that these are the most extreme trading conditions ever seen in hospitality. With national insurance, minimum wage and energy and food costs, will the Chancellor consider a reduction in VAT on hospitality sales to protect high streets and local producers and to save our communities?

Answer from The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (James Murray)

I am unclear, given the hon. Lady’s remarks, whether she is opposed to the increase in the national minimum wage, but she should know that we have extended support for businesses in business rates relief this year, which would have been ended entirely under the plans we inherited from the previous Government, and there will be permanently lower multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure premises on the high street from April 2026.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q7 Carla Lockhart DUP Upper Bann
Economy Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Chancellor had announced tax rises, including changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief, which affected family farms and small businesses in the UK.

Question

On 30 October, the Chancellor upended our economy through tax rises and punitive death taxes. She has delivered a devastating blow to family farms and small family businesses—the very backbone of our economy. When will the Chancellor recognise that she is elected by the people, for the people? Every day that she avoids engaging with the farming community is another day of wilful neglect. Our farmers are being driven out, not by market forces but by a Government blind to their struggles and deaf to their voices. When will she listen and speak with them?

Answer from James Murray

As the hon. Lady and I have discussed in several debates in recent months, the decision we took on agricultural property relief and business property relief was difficult, but it was the right and balanced one to ensure we protect family farms and small businesses while fixing the public finances in a fair way. Fixing the public finances is in the interest of every Member of this House and all the constituents we represent, because it underpins the investment we are putting into the future of this country and into getting the economy growing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not commit to engaging with the farming community directly but defended the decision as necessary for public finances.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q8 Johanna Baxter Lab Paisley and Renfrewshire South
NHS Scotland Wales
Context

The Scottish National Party (SNP) Government at Holyrood has been in power for 18 years, during which time there have been claims of under-investment in public services.

Question

Many thousands of my constituents in Paisley and Renfrewshire South work in and rely on public services that are on their knees after 18 years of under-investment by the SNP Government at Holyrood. Will my right hon. Friend set out how the views of my constituents will be reflected in the spending review?

Answer from Rachel Reeves

Because of the decisions that we made in the Budget last year, we were able to provide a record settlement for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is a shame that the SNP MPs are not in the Chamber today. It is now the SNP’s responsibility to spend that money wisely and invest in public services. We are bringing down NHS waiting lists in England and Wales; the same cannot be said of Scotland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not provide specific details on how spending review will reflect constituents' views but criticized SNP's record.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q9 Tessa Munt Lib Dem Wells and Mendip Hills
Taxation
Context

A constituent of Tessa Munt's has been experiencing delays in receiving a tax refund claim from HMRC, with the process taking nearly 21 months.

Question

In July 2023, my constituent Alison claimed a refund of overpaid tax that was mistakenly paid twice. In February 2024, she was told that her claim would be assessed by 20 March, in July 2024 she was told that it would be by 22 October, and in December she was told that she could not have a date but that the department had definitely received her claim 16 months previously. She has heard nothing since. Will the Chancellor agree to meet me to discuss this very vexed situation for someone who has very little money, given that this claim is nearly 21 months delayed?

Answer from James Murray

I was sorry to hear about the hon. Lady’s constituent’s experience with, I assume, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. Even though, as the Minister with responsibility for HMRC, I cannot get directly involved in individual cases, I am happy to raise it with HMRC and make sure that it gives the matter proper attention to try and resolve it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not agree to a meeting but offered to raise the issue with HMRC.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q10 Baggy Shanker Labour (Co-op) Derby South
Business & Trade
Context

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury visited Derby South and engaged with local business leaders, highlighting the importance of such engagement in building business confidence.

Question

Local businesses have huge potential to create local growth in our community. It was fantastic to see my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury visiting Derby South earlier this year and engaging with business leaders. Does the Minister agree that continued engagement with business leaders is absolutely key to building the business confidence that we so desperately need and which was shattered by the previous Government?

Answer from Darren Jones

I thank my hon. Friend for his question and for the invitation to join him in his constituency. I very much enjoyed the regional reception with business leaders, as I have done in every region and nation across the country during the spending review. We will continue to work hand in glove with them to unlock investment, create jobs and create growth for everybody, across the whole country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not provide specific details on future engagements but reiterated commitment to working with business leaders.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q11 Jim Allister TUV North Antrim
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The UK and EU have differing trade laws affecting Northern Ireland, particularly in relation to tariffs.

Question

Earlier, when the Chancellor was talking about the impact of tariffs, she pledged that the Government would act in our national interest. How can it be in the whole national interest, so long as the trade laws governing Northern Ireland are not the trade laws of the UK but those of a foreign jurisdiction, namely the EU?

Answer from Rachel Reeves

We inherited the settlement made by the previous Government, as the hon. and learned Member will know. There is a summit between the UK and the EU on 18 May where we will be looking to reduce the barriers to trade between the whole of the United Kingdom and the European Union. We recognise the specific issues around Northern Ireland, particularly in regard to the response to the tariffs, and we will continue to work with the Executive there to ensure that we get the best outcome for the people of Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not provide a clear stance on trade laws but mentioned an upcoming summit to address issues.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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