Contributions
1,234 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsI must say I am rather surprised by the inflammatory language of the former Chair of the Treasury Committee, which is clearly no reflection of reality. The Chancellor is going on…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsMy hon. Friend is right. May I offer some probably unwelcome advice to Opposition Members? The sooner they stop groaning and stop laughing about their performance when they were…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsThe Chancellor is going to China, as has been well documented. Again, I am sorry that it disappoints the hon. Member that I am here. I refer him and his colleagues to the urgent…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsMy hon. Friend is right to point out that the Government are in the service of working people. What does that mean? It means that people’s lives—the money they have in their…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsThe hon. Gentleman will know that this Government’s approach to stimulating growth in the economy is about stability, investment and reform—the political and economic stability…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsAs I said, the fiscal rules are non-negotiable. The only reliable sources on future financing will be the OBR forecast on 26 March, the conclusion of the spending review in June,…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. Let me set out the difference that the British people will experience. At the end of 14 years of Conservative Government, they had higher…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsI am always grateful to the hon. Gentleman for thinking that I am making such substantive interventions, and for his continued support in that respect. This is not austerity, as…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsMy hon. Friend asks an important question. Why did we have to take that action? Why was this Government’s first Bill about fiscal responsibility? It was because of the mess that…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsThat is exactly why our fiscal rules are non-negotiable. While the Conservatives borrowed to pay the bills every month because they did not have enough money to pay for all their…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsThe question was whether the Government have an iron grip on public finances; the answer is yes.09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. Our industrial strategy, through which we will invest alongside businesses and industries of the future, and our infrastructure strategy, which…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsYes.09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsI am sorry to disappoint the right hon. Member, but I will answer the question none the less. She asked me whether I stand by the Chancellor’s statements, and the answer is yes.09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsIt is absolutely right that the Labour Government are bringing fiscal and economic stability back to this country, because we know that when you play fast and loose with the…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsAs I have said, it seems that the Conservative party is proud of its record on austerity. We do not support austerity, which was blind ideological cuts to public services—3%…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsI am very happy to set out the Government’s plan, as I have done repeatedly today. The hon. Member will have seen in the Chancellor’s Budget last autumn a clear plan to wipe the…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsI did not realise that the hon. Member knew my mum and that I am apparently the future. It is very kind of him to say so; very few have that in their thoughts. He talks about…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsThank you, Mr Speaker. It is important, when you are paid by the House, to act responsibly; I agree with you. My hon. Friend the Member for Rugby (John Slinger) makes a really…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsI think the hon. Member might want to ask his constituents whether they appreciated their doctors and nurses being on strike for so long or whether they wanted them to be able to…09 Jan 2025