Contributions
1,763 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCost of LivingI am not aware that Lord Frost is a member of the Government. I speak for the Government, and I am clear about what the situation is. As it stands, the Scottish Government are…16 May 2023HANSARDCost of LivingThe point I was making was that stopping the boats is a priority for the people of this country, and this Government are focused on the priorities of the people of this country.…16 May 2023HANSARDCost of LivingI beg to move an amendment, to leave out from “House” to the end of the Question and add: “welcomes the Government’s action to halve inflation, grow the economy and reduce debt;…16 May 2023HANSARDCost of LivingI fully acknowledge the pressures of food inflation—they are in line with those of many of our friends and neighbours, but less than in Germany, for example—and I will come on in…16 May 2023HANSARDCost of LivingI think the principle of levelling up across the United Kingdom recognises that we do not have symmetry across the local economies of the United Kingdom, and it is about investing…16 May 2023HANSARDCost of LivingI have set out the number of interventions we have made to support individuals and the taxation levies on energy companies that we have set. With inflation running high, I…16 May 2023HANSARDPublic Service Pensions: Cost Control Mechanism and the Reformed Scheme Only DesignThe Government have today published a policy statement on the cost control mechanism (CCM) in public service pensions titled “Public Service Pensions—the Cost Control Mechanism…15 May 2023HANSARDPeople on Lower Incomes: Financial SupportAs a result of Government decisions made from autumn statement 2022 onwards, households in the bottom half of the income distribution will see, in cash terms, twice as much…09 May 2023HANSARDSchool Meals: Impact of InflationI do not agree with that analysis. The free school meals funding for 2023-24 was set in line with precedent every year, using inflation forecasts in the autumn prior. About 1.9…09 May 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThree of the Prime Minister’s five priorities are economic priorities: to halve inflation this year, to grow the economy and to reduce debt. We are on track to halve inflation…09 May 2023HANSARDInvestment ZonesThe key distinction is that we have identified areas that have clusters, often relating to a university, and that have potential in a key sector. The investment zones will be…09 May 2023HANSARDPeople on Lower Incomes: Financial SupportI absolutely agree. The Government are doing three things to reduce inflation: we are remaining steadfast in supporting the independent Monetary Policy Committee at the Bank of…09 May 2023HANSARDPeople on Lower Incomes: Financial SupportAbsolutely. It is right that we continue support for the cost of living challenges. I have mentioned the energy price guarantee; we are also sticking to that plan to avoid…09 May 2023HANSARDPeople on Lower Incomes: Financial SupportThe Government are taking action to protect struggling families by providing support, worth £3,300 per household on average over this year and last, to help with higher bills.…09 May 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI think that we have made commitments on the first phase. The Chancellor is considering the next steps further and will update the House in due course.09 May 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe do not typically make specific decisions on local authorities from Whitehall, but we have committed to significant additional funds for local authorities and funding for the…09 May 2023HANSARDPublic Spending: Value for MoneyAs the Minister for public spending, I oversee the Government’s budgeting system, and a key element of that is incentivising Departments to manage spending effectively so that…09 May 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI believe that the Minister for the Cabinet Office updated the House on this matter a couple of weeks ago, and I am sure that he will be keen to do so again when those…09 May 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am always happy to meet my hon. Friend. I congratulate him on his leadership of his council candidates last week and the excellent result that he secured. Of course, we have…09 May 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsNo, I do not recognise that characterisation. What I recognise is that the Government are determined to see the economy grow. I see investment in investment zones focused in the…09 May 2023