Contributions
1,178 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEconomic UpdateMy hon. Friend and I have had very many discussions about social care over the years, mainly when I was a Back Bencher and she was a Minister. The sector is in great difficulty at…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateI was a Cabinet Minister in 2010 when we had very difficult decisions to take in the wake of the financial crisis, and my Department’s budget was cut by 24%. I do not believe that…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateThere is the problem, with all the noise from the Opposition. This compassionate Conservative Government were able to step in with massive help for members of the public, with the…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateI look forward to lots of useful advice from my right hon. Friend’s inner accountant in the months and years ahead, and I will certainly bear his points in mind. The issue with…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateThe right hon. Gentleman will know, because I have said it many times today, that I am not making firm commitments on any individual elements of tax and spending, but I hope he is…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateI thank my right hon. Friend for his question. I agree: ultimately, it is not sustainable to have a permanent current account deficit and that is something that we need to address.17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateThis is an issue that has raised its head in my own constituency. Let me simply say to my hon. Friend that the Government’s position is clear: we will not proceed unless there is…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateIt will not have been a secret to my right hon. Friend that I am sympathetic to that, because I campaigned for it very loudly and visibly when I was a Back Bencher, but all these…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateI would gently say to the hon. Gentleman that, while I completely understand how important it is to support our most vulnerable pensioners, what they need more than anything is a…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateThere is no more formidable an advocate of science and technology than my hon. Friend, and he knows that I also care very much about the sector. With respect to reassuring the…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateI do not know, but I will write to the right hon. Lady.17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateI wish I could answer that question. As my right hon. Friend will know better than me, this appalling saga is far from over, so we do not know what the total costs will be. I…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateWith the greatest respect to the hon. Lady, I did not pledge a new wave of austerity. If she does not like austerity, she should look at the generosity of the furlough scheme and…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateI have the greatest respect for the hon. Gentleman, and we have had many exchanges in this House over the years. I think actions speak louder than words, and I do not think I…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateI thank my hon. Friend for his generous comments. It is not for the Government to say what the Bank of England does when the Monetary Policy Committee makes its decision on…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateThe answer is yes. To demonstrate that I understand what my hon. Friend is talking about when he talks about the private sector, I am going to say some words I have always dreamed…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateI am happy to offer that guarantee if the right hon. Gentleman will agree to explicitly reject the extremist, crank, think-tank economics of Scottish independence.17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateI always listen to my right hon. Friend carefully on these issues. Let me say to him this: I do not think we will solve the growth paradox of this country, raising our long-term…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateThose comments have not been coming from the Government since I have been a part of the Government. I cannot talk about what happened before, but what I will say is that I am…17 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateWhat I will say to the hon. Gentleman is straightforward. It is because I want us to be able to support the poorest, the most vulnerable and those in the greatest difficulties in…17 Oct 2022