Contributions
715 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBusiness Rates: Retail, Hospitality and LeisureThe Conservatives had 14 years to implement significant reforms to the business rates system. They could have changed the system with significant underlying reforms, meaning that…19 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillThere were some forensic questions in that not brief intervention, but of course I appreciate it, and I look forward to trying to go through— [ Interruption. ] I am trying to…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillI am just going to respond to this point. For siblings, and for co-owners who are not spouses but who jointly own a farm—the example raised and that set out on the Government…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillI will come shortly to the questions that the hon. Gentleman asked. The Liberal Democrat spokesperson, the hon. Member for Witney (Charlie Maynard), mentioned the costs of…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillI extend my thanks to hon. Members for their thoughtful contributions during this session in particular, which I appreciate has been a topic of discussion in public and in this…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillThis is the normal way that inheritance tax assets are taxed. There is not just APR and BPR, and the changes coming in in April; other assets are passed on through inheritance. We…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillI am sure that Environment Ministers will continue to engage with farming unions and farming representatives. Both in the run-up to the Budget and subsequently, Treasury Ministers…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillA few weeks back, I had the pleasure of attending a Westminster Hall debate focused on farming and farmers in Northern Ireland. It was a good, productive debate, and I took away…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillConservative Members keep repeating, “14 months”. I should use that as an opportunity to remind people of the 14 wasted years that their party put farmers and rural communities…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillGo on, then. I will give way, but I was trying to make progress so that other Members could speak.12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillI thank the hon. Member for raising the crofting sector and the rural communities that he represents. The Government will continue to do all we can to support different types of…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillGiven that the hon. Member called that debate, I will.12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillI thank my hon. Friend for her continued interest in this area; she is a strong representative for the rural communities that she represents in the north-west of our country. I am…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillAs we come to the final group in today’s Committee stage on the Bill, I am pleased to open this important debate on clause 62, schedule 12 and the many associated amendments. As…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillThat information will be forthcoming in due course. In conclusion, I hope that Members will see how the amendments that have been tabled are not necessary. We have set out the…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillIt is so wonderful to see so many Members on the Opposition Benches wishing to intervene. They were much less forthcoming in my previous closing remarks. I have given way to one…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillAs the Chancellor has set out—more detail will follow later this year—those whose only income is the basic or new state pension, without any increments, will not have to pay…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillI was listening to the speeches made by Members on the Opposition Benches so intently that I am not in the right place in my notes to start my speech. I extend my thanks to the…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillThe Government do support the farming sector and the farming industry. We will continue to do so through the funds that we will make available via DEFRA—funds that were not fully…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillThe hon. Member mentions the change to student loan thresholds that was announced at the Budget. The Government have looked at our taxation system in the round, and at our…12 Jan 2026