Contributions
1,299 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDThe Growth PlanAs a Minister I have always been open to colleagues on both sides of the Houses and people have spoken to me. Regrettably, sometimes some of my conversations are leaked to the…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanObviously, I will have to look at the specifics of the case, because I have just heard about it today. If the hon. Lady corresponds with my Department, I am sure that we can get…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanThe growth plan will mean that, as we grow our economy, we can get more tax revenue to pay for vital public services. That is a key part and a key rationale of the plan.23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanThe childcare issue has been raised many times and I am looking forward to a subsequent statement from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education. That is clearly…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanAbsolutely. My hon. Friend will understand that, historically, we have managed to get out of high periods of debt by growing our economy. That is why we have a renewed focus on…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanWe will make announcements about that in due course.23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanIt is a very basic lesson. We currently tax bonuses at about 50%, which goes into public services. It is absolutely legitimate to get more people into the labour market. That…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanYnys Môn has a fantastic Member of Parliament in my hon. Friend, and we are focused not only on freeports, but on the future of nuclear. Ynys Môn represents a hugely exciting…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanWe have looked at that in the past. It was not without controversy, but I would be happy to hear my hon. Friend’s ideas on the subject.23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanAbsolutely. There is no reason why we cannot have lots of different investment zones dotted around in lots of areas of the country. The Secretary of State for Levelling Up,…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanI was very interested to hear the hon. Lady’s defence and I was very curiously affected when she said that Labour believes in wealth creation. That was the biggest fantasy I have…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. Because of careful stewardship of the public finances, we can withstand the exogenous shocks represented by covid-19 and Russia’s invasion of…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanWhat I find extraordinary is that Opposition Members stood on a platform of pure unadulterated socialism in 2019 that was totally reckless and had no interest in the private…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanWe are backing the hon. Gentleman’s communities—by reducing taxes, by creating the potential for investment zones and through the energy intervention. There is a whole host of…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. By accelerating infrastructure projects, we can generate economic growth, generate achievement, enthuse the supply chain and get Britain moving…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. We have a dynamic population of highly skilled people. Our job in Government is to empower people to grow, to achieve and to thrive in the ways…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanThe focus of the growth plan is on growth—on getting our economy moving and getting to 2.5%. That is the lens through which I am looking at this problem. I am also happy to remind…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanI am pleased to confirm to my hon. Friend that that is exactly what we need to be driving forward. We need to be accelerating the process so that we can deliver outcomes more…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanIt is not ideology; it is a practical focus on growing the economy, so we have a more prosperous country. That is what Governments should be doing. The socialism of the Opposition…23 Sept 2022HANSARDThe Growth PlanI was very surprised to hear the hon. Lady mention energy, given the SNP’s appalling record in that regard. I am very open to her ideas, but I very much recommend that she pursue…23 Sept 2022