Contributions
1,562 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsI thank my hon. Friend for his question. He is right to point out that the process between the OBR and the Treasury has been strengthened to be more robust and transparent under…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsThe hon. Gentleman is right to point to the importance of fiscal headroom to ensure that public finances are resilient. That is exactly why the Chancellor set out that one of her…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsThe hon. Gentleman will be aware of the Government’s red lines on not rejoining the customs union. I can reassure him that, in approaching this Budget, the Chancellor’s commitment…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsIt does not count as me engaging in speculation if I assure the hon. Gentleman that, as we have already preannounced, we will set out our new business rates multipliers at the…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsMy hon. Friend is absolutely right that our priority is to take the right decisions to provide stability and secure foundations for the long-term future of this country. It is…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsWhile I have made it clear that I will not speculate on what will be in the Budget, I note my hon. Friend’s passionate case for support for the pub sector, which is so important…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsI did not say just that I take my responsibility to this House very seriously; I said that every Minister in this Government takes their responsibility to this House very…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsI am not quite sure what I am supposed to say in response to that question. I would rather this urgent question had not been asked today—there are other things that we could be…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsAs I made clear, I am not going to comment on the ongoing Budget process, nor am I going to engage in speculation about Budget measures. I note that this urgent question is about…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsWhile the hon. Gentleman would not expect me to speculate on details, I can reassure him that our Budget will support growth by enabling businesses to create jobs, innovate,…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsA number of the hon. Lady’s colleagues have asked the same question today, and my answer has been consistent throughout, which is that I am not going to comment on the ongoing…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsIn my role as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, I have met Ministers in the Scottish Government to discuss the fiscal situation. We have a fiscal forum every quarter, with…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsAs I have said, I am not going to comment on the ongoing Budget process. However, the right hon. Lady mentioned stability, and stability is at the heart of our approach, which is…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsI can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Budget is next week, on Wednesday 26 November. I can also reassure him that businesses are welcoming the Chancellor’s iron-clad commitment…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsAs I made clear earlier, the level of noise and speculation ahead of the Budget is regrettable, but I will not engage in further speculation on these measures today.17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsI fear that my history is not good enough to know exactly what that question means. [ Interruption. ] I am embarrassed to admit it. I am not entirely clear, but I suspect that I…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsI repeat what I said about the approach of Ministers—every Minister in the Government takes their responsibility to the House seriously—and I will not engage in further…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsAs I have said already today, there is, regrettably, always noise and speculation ahead of the Budget, but I am not going to contribute toward that speculation.17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsAt the Budget last year we took the right decisions to fix the public finances and to get the NHS and public services back on their feet. We could not carry on with public…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBudget: Press BriefingsBusinesses can have confidence in this Government because when we say we are going to stick to our fiscal rules, we mean it. When we say we are going to have more headroom to make…17 Nov 2025