0:00:00 > 0:00:01England. Please join me for a round of at 11, but now we have questions
0:00:01 > 0:00:03from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond and his
0:00:03 > 0:00:19team.Order, order. Questions for the chance lobbyist Jack.With your
0:00:19 > 0:00:24permission, I would like to ask this fashion. The national living which
0:00:24 > 0:00:36will rise to £7 83. That is a pay rise of £2000 to the average worker.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40This has helped to reduce the proportion of full-time jobs that
0:00:40 > 0:00:45are low paid to the lowest level in at least 20 years. At the same time,
0:00:45 > 0:00:50in work benefits support the income is of poor households and Universal
0:00:50 > 0:01:02Credit will mean that it always... That is why we are increasingly
0:01:02 > 0:01:09productivity to over £31 billion.Mr Speaker, the predecessor George
0:01:09 > 0:01:12Osborne boasted that the minimum wage would be over £9 an hour by
0:01:12 > 0:01:172020. He has downgraded that forecast. Now that we are in the
0:01:17 > 0:01:21middle of the longest full in living standards in history, why should the
0:01:21 > 0:01:33very poorest people pay for the crisis?
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Boyd I have just pointed out that those people have games 2000 fans a
0:01:41 > 0:01:52year. -- £2000 a year. It will continue to do so, on the other
0:01:52 > 0:01:56point he will note that real household disposable income per
0:01:56 > 0:02:00head, a much more appropriate measure of living standards is
0:02:00 > 0:02:14almost 5% higher in 2069 it wasn't a dozen ten.-- was in 2010.Isn't the
0:02:14 > 0:02:20best policy for which is to stay in the single market?The best policy
0:02:20 > 0:02:23for Britain, including for the wages of British workers, is to get a good
0:02:23 > 0:02:28deal with the European Union, that secures high-levels have access to
0:02:28 > 0:02:33European markets after we leave the European map union. That is what we
0:02:33 > 0:02:41intend to do.In mice constituency, one of the key things is to make
0:02:41 > 0:02:46sure that we attract businesses that secure high-paid jobs. Will you join
0:02:46 > 0:02:52me encouraging all those involved in future developments, to ensure that
0:02:52 > 0:03:01we attract high-tech, innovative businesses.Yes, Mr Speaker. That
0:03:01 > 0:03:05was indeed the central theme of the budget. If we are to insure
0:03:05 > 0:03:08prosperity for all in the future, we have to embrace the technologies of
0:03:08 > 0:03:11the future, the businesses of the future, and make sure that we create
0:03:11 > 0:03:14the jobs of the future and be prepared to invest in the
0:03:14 > 0:03:18destruction that is needed to support them, and giving out people
0:03:18 > 0:03:21who still skills that they will need to take advantage of those higher
0:03:21 > 0:03:31paid jobs.The fact is that disposable income is set to fall,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35and the cost of living is rising faster than pay can keep up. The
0:03:35 > 0:03:39area that you have a direct response ability for, public sector money,
0:03:39 > 0:03:44isn't it time to remove those pay restraint on the lowest paid workers
0:03:44 > 0:03:56that Tamoaieta -- to ensure that... The blanket cap has been removed,
0:03:56 > 0:04:10that was announced in July.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13Challenges for improving workforce efficiency, and make proposals to
0:04:13 > 0:04:21the pay review bodies accordingly. The Conservatives want people to
0:04:21 > 0:04:25keep more of the wages that they do and, and when they first came to
0:04:25 > 0:04:31power in April 2010, disgracefully, people earning as little as £6,500 a
0:04:31 > 0:04:35year had to pay income tax, now that they can and over 11 thousand pounds
0:04:35 > 0:04:44before incurring income tax.Yes, £11,850, my honourable friend is
0:04:44 > 0:04:51exactly right. And that is by keeping to our commitment that we
0:04:51 > 0:04:56made in our manifesto, of increasingly personal allowance to
0:04:56 > 0:04:59£12,500 by 2020, and we will ensure that people keep more of their
0:04:59 > 0:05:04income. Going back to the original question, people on the national
0:05:04 > 0:05:13living wage, after tax terms are £3600 better off a year better than
0:05:13 > 0:05:23they would have been into Government ten.Stagnating wages, high
0:05:23 > 0:05:30inflation, why has this Government not entered the public pays the --
0:05:30 > 0:05:40pay cap?I don't know if you are listening, we have ended the blanket
0:05:40 > 0:05:44pay cut across the public sector, and are allowing secretaries of
0:05:44 > 0:05:47state to make a recommendation to the pay review bodies that reflect
0:05:47 > 0:05:51the circumstances of their individual workforce.My
0:05:51 > 0:05:54constituency is in the top ten of all constituencies with the highest
0:05:54 > 0:06:02proportion of those on the minimum wage. The rise to £7 83 will be most
0:06:02 > 0:06:06welcome, indeed. Do you agree that moves such as theirs, and increasing
0:06:06 > 0:06:13personal allowance, will help reduce income inequality in my contingency
0:06:13 > 0:06:16and the country at large?My honourable friend is exactly right.
0:06:16 > 0:06:22The uncomfortable fact for the front bench opposite, is that income
0:06:22 > 0:06:26inequality is the lowest it has been since the mid-19 80s, lower than it
0:06:26 > 0:06:33was at any point jokingly 13 years of Labour Government. -- during 13
0:06:33 > 0:06:45years of Labour Government.With you further agree that it is the
0:06:45 > 0:06:52policies of this Government that has made that possible?Yes, Mr Speaker,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55and it is indeed one of the proudest achievements of this Government,
0:06:55 > 0:06:59that since 2010, we have created 3 million new jobs in this country.
0:06:59 > 0:07:08The right honourable gentleman might reflect on his prediction in 2011
0:07:08 > 0:07:13that the policies of this Government would cost this economy 1 million
0:07:13 > 0:07:19jobs. That's undoubtedly slightly wide of the mark.In the last five
0:07:19 > 0:07:24years, the gender pay gap is only for them by .4%. If this trend
0:07:24 > 0:07:30continues it will take 113 years for women to be on an equal footing. Why
0:07:30 > 0:07:34is the Chancellor not do more for women who are paid less than men?It
0:07:34 > 0:07:39is a protein of the Government to continue to close the pay gap. That
0:07:39 > 0:07:51it is a priority of the Government. It is now at its lowest level ever.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54I have been advised that the honourable lady would like to
0:07:54 > 0:08:01proffer a second contribution, now. We will wait for that silly to
0:08:01 > 0:08:15stage.Thank you. What is the connection between low wage growth
0:08:15 > 0:08:21and the slump in productivity?As the honourable gentleman will know,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25in the end, wages can only be paid for by the productive output of
0:08:25 > 0:08:30workers and increasing the productivity of the workers in the
0:08:30 > 0:08:33British economy, so if they can produce more and earn more, in a way
0:08:33 > 0:08:37that allows them to remain competitive, whilst paying them
0:08:37 > 0:08:47more.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Mr Speaker, Universal Credit has already been very successful at
0:08:52 > 0:08:56getting more people into work, by making sure that work with pace, and
0:08:56 > 0:09:09that has boosted household incomes. Origi gist of the Universal Credit
0:09:09 > 0:09:18programme last -- all changes, this content across the all house, what
0:09:18 > 0:09:25is surprising is that rather than halt the botched roll-out, the
0:09:25 > 0:09:29Government has only chosen to give that £1 to every £10 cut from the
0:09:29 > 0:09:36system. No, thank you. Will you accept that isn't now and matter of
0:09:36 > 0:09:42urgency, and proper action is taken to address the real human suffering
0:09:42 > 0:09:49imposed in our communities caused by this rule out -- roll-out?I think
0:09:49 > 0:09:53we should remember the 1.4 million people who spent the previous decade
0:09:53 > 0:09:59under Labour chat in poverty, because every pound they earned was
0:09:59 > 0:10:04taken away in benefits. And that, is why we have introduced Universal
0:10:04 > 0:10:08Credit, because every extra hour of work pays, and all the evidence
0:10:08 > 0:10:13suggests that it is much better than the previous scheme, employment pays
0:10:13 > 0:10:19and people on Universal Credit are more likely to be in work.Would my
0:10:19 > 0:10:24right honourable friend want to comment on the irresponsible scare
0:10:24 > 0:10:28stories put out by the BBC, first on Radio 4, and then on BBC breakfast
0:10:28 > 0:10:34time across all media platforms, that 100,000 people working in
0:10:34 > 0:10:38Universal Credit that they would receive no benefit over the
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Christmas period?I think it is disgraceful that that fake news was
0:10:42 > 0:10:48put out on our national board caster, when -- broadcaster, when
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Universal Credit is helping people get into work and annexed the money.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56I think it is particularly poor, that some of the lowest income
0:10:56 > 0:11:01people in our society have been unnecessarily worried when in fact,
0:11:01 > 0:11:08under Universal Credit, everybody can receive and advance, in advance
0:11:08 > 0:11:13of getting that payment.Thank you to Mr Speaker. Even after the
0:11:13 > 0:11:16changes to Universal Credit, it would still make young, single
0:11:16 > 0:11:20parent families with school-age children, £6,000 a year worse off
0:11:20 > 0:11:24that is a BR figures. I think we should remember that without further
0:11:24 > 0:11:29action to stop it, this Government is going to push a million
0:11:29 > 0:11:31additional children into poverty, and I want to know what the
0:11:31 > 0:11:39Government will do about that?
0:11:39 > 0:11:45On and on and at a 30 year low, thanks Ali policies...
0:11:45 > 0:11:51-- I would tell the honourable lady this... Rather than leaving people
0:11:51 > 0:11:54on the scrapheap with Universal Credit, like under the Labour
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Government, it helps people get into work. We have seen the fastest
0:11:57 > 0:12:01employment growth has been amongst the lowest income people in our
0:12:01 > 0:12:07society. Stephen Kerr.
0:12:07 > 0:12:12I welcome the changes in Universal Credit announced in the budget
0:12:12 > 0:12:15speech. Did my honourable friend note that in the budget and Alceste
0:12:15 > 0:12:22EIF S said that the changes in the Universal Credit would still mean
0:12:22 > 0:12:26that people find it difficult to cope with the six-week wait.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29He is correct and we have been making changes to Universal Credit
0:12:29 > 0:12:34to make sure it works for everybody. We have rolled it out gradually to
0:12:34 > 0:12:40make sure it is effective. Unlike previous botched efforts of tax
0:12:40 > 0:12:43credits under the previous Labour Government... We have learnt lessons
0:12:43 > 0:12:48and we are helping more people getting to employment. We have the
0:12:48 > 0:12:52lowest unemployment since 1975 and the people who benefited most IB
0:12:52 > 0:13:00lowest earners in society. Universal Credit is being rolled out
0:13:00 > 0:13:03in Bishop Auckland over Christmas and this will affect 10,000
0:13:03 > 0:13:08households. On the Government's figures, we know this will take £20
0:13:08 > 0:13:12million out of the local economy. Surely she can see that this is bad
0:13:12 > 0:13:18for jobs and bad for local shops. Hear, hear..
0:13:18 > 0:13:21With respect, I don't think the honourable lady is taking into
0:13:21 > 0:13:24account the extra income which will be earned by those families because
0:13:24 > 0:13:29they are more likely to be in work under Universal Credit. That is
0:13:29 > 0:13:33where the benefit is, rather than keeping people in a poverty trap,
0:13:33 > 0:13:38where they were losing £1 for every extra pound they were earning. Work
0:13:38 > 0:13:42always pays under Universal Credit and people are able to end money to
0:13:42 > 0:13:53support families. Question number four.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57Minister Andrew Jones. The Government is investing over £1
0:13:57 > 0:14:02billion to stimulating market to build next-generation digital
0:14:02 > 0:14:05infrastructure the UK needs for the future and in the autumn Budget we
0:14:05 > 0:14:12launched a £190 million challenge fund for five broadband, many
0:14:12 > 0:14:17millions to develop five G networks and £35 million to introduce mobile
0:14:17 > 0:14:22connectivity for rail passengers. Last week I held at Westminster Hall
0:14:22 > 0:14:27debate on the catastrophic belly of the Scottish Government to allow
0:14:27 > 0:14:32superfast broadband for communities in Scotland. In the debate, the
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Minister for Digital confirmed millions of pounds in taxpayer money
0:14:34 > 0:14:38has not been released by the Scottish Government to deploy
0:14:38 > 0:14:41superfast broadband. Can I ask my right honourable friend what
0:14:41 > 0:14:44discussions he has had with ministers from the Scottish
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Government to ensure the money gets to where it needs to be, including
0:14:47 > 0:14:52rural communities in need of this. The Government is supporting the
0:14:52 > 0:14:57roll-up of superfast broadband across the UK and that has included
0:14:57 > 0:15:01allocating over £120 million to help the Scottish Government deliver 100%
0:15:01 > 0:15:06superfast coverage in Scotland by 2021. To be specific, the Minister
0:15:06 > 0:15:11for digital discussed with the Scottish Government on the 6th of
0:15:11 > 0:15:14November and have further discussions this week.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17Mr Speaker, this is not good enough. If we will tackle the appalling
0:15:17 > 0:15:21productivity levels in our country, we need to invest in this
0:15:21 > 0:15:24infrastructure and we need to invest in skills and we need to invest in
0:15:24 > 0:15:31top-class management. Get its act together and do it!
0:15:31 > 0:15:33I think the honourable gentleman may have missed some of the
0:15:33 > 0:15:38announcements in the budget. Perhaps I can highlight one particularly
0:15:38 > 0:15:42which is the £740 million for the national productivity investment
0:15:42 > 0:15:45fund allocated for digital infrastructure.
0:15:45 > 0:15:52The honourable member for Norfolk is looking upbeat. George Freeman.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Nice to be back. Could I welcome on behalf of my constituents the
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Digital announcement in the budget last week and the size of the team
0:16:00 > 0:16:07in charge of the economy unlike the Marxists opposite?
0:16:07 > 0:16:11Hear, hear. Could he agree that we need public
0:16:11 > 0:16:15sector leadership to create a private funding partnership and
0:16:15 > 0:16:20announce a public infrastructure leadership Academy as part of the
0:16:20 > 0:16:23budget? I think my honourable friend is
0:16:23 > 0:16:26making a typically insightful point and I think that digital improvement
0:16:26 > 0:16:30is one of the key drivers of making our productivity improved. I am
0:16:30 > 0:16:35happy to entirely agree with the widest points he has made.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Thank you, Mr Speaker. When the local authorities be told the basis
0:16:38 > 0:16:42on which they will be invited to apply for the new money that has
0:16:42 > 0:16:46been earmarked for the Government? And the Minister assure me that when
0:16:46 > 0:16:50money is distributed it will be done on the basis of the need an area not
0:16:50 > 0:16:56just the population numbers? I will look into the point made
0:16:56 > 0:17:01there and write to him with the answer.
0:17:01 > 0:17:08Mr Speaker... The Government recognises the
0:17:08 > 0:17:13importance of regional airports, not least for connectivity for small,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16local communities. That is why, despite the fact there is no VAT on
0:17:16 > 0:17:23airline tickets or duty on aviation fuel, we have frozen the APD rate
0:17:23 > 0:17:29for a long haul economy flights as announced in this budget.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34Thank you for that reply. Many of the flights from our major airports
0:17:34 > 0:17:37are internal domestic flights were passengers end up paying APD twice
0:17:37 > 0:17:42and both likes of their journey. In order to support small regional
0:17:42 > 0:17:47airports, with the Minister consider cutting APD on internal flights by
0:17:47 > 0:17:5050%, something I believe once we leave the EU we will be able to do?
0:17:50 > 0:17:56My honourable friend races in interesting point. -- he raises an
0:17:56 > 0:18:00interesting point. We look to address this in 1998, when there was
0:18:00 > 0:18:04a ruling by the European Commission saying that under state aid rules
0:18:04 > 0:18:08were unable to do that. Once we have left the European Union, depending
0:18:08 > 0:18:11upon the details of the agreement under which we do that, this might
0:18:11 > 0:18:14be something we could be able to revisit.
0:18:14 > 0:18:20The Treasury modelling shows that Newcastle Airport in my constituency
0:18:20 > 0:18:23will be the most affected by the devolution of air passenger duty to
0:18:23 > 0:18:27Scotland, so can the Minister confirm what actual progress the
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Government has made on ensuring the impact is mitigated for English
0:18:31 > 0:18:36regional airports? Mr Speaker, as I have already said,
0:18:36 > 0:18:42we have in this budget frozen APD for a long haul flights, that our
0:18:42 > 0:18:46economy. This comes on the back, Mr Speaker, the number of actions taken
0:18:46 > 0:18:53to reduce APD over the years. In 2014 week at APD and in the same
0:18:53 > 0:18:58year we exempted children from APD on economy flights also. We will
0:18:58 > 0:19:01continue, Mr Speaker, to review as we do all taxes going forward in
0:19:01 > 0:19:05light of the issues the honourable lady has raised.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09In light of the welcome announcement last week the Chancellor made about
0:19:09 > 0:19:14the possible review of air passenger duty in Northern Ireland, with the
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Minister take account of the fact that all our airports, Belfast city,
0:19:18 > 0:19:23international, Londonderry, have a serious disadvantage when competing
0:19:23 > 0:19:28with airport in the Irish Republic who all have a very significant
0:19:28 > 0:19:34ignorance of APD and review that accordingly?
0:19:34 > 0:19:38This question, the Chancellor made it clear we will be undertaking a
0:19:38 > 0:19:43full call for evidence and review of the matters both of APD and VAT and
0:19:43 > 0:19:46impact on tourism, which we recognise is so vital to the
0:19:46 > 0:19:52Northern Ireland economy. Mr Speaker. With your permission, I
0:19:52 > 0:19:56would like to answer this question together with questioning 11. The
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Government recognises the importance of closing the economic gap between
0:19:59 > 0:20:05regions of our country, as an economic and social priority. And
0:20:05 > 0:20:09the industrial strategy is focused on doing so. Mr Speaker, if we
0:20:09 > 0:20:14eliminate or just have the productivity gap with London, we
0:20:14 > 0:20:20would add £300 billion to our gross domestic product... That is £4600
0:20:20 > 0:20:24for every man, woman and child in this country and that is why the
0:20:24 > 0:20:28budget announced a raft of measures designed to move forward our
0:20:28 > 0:20:32progress in doing so. The economic case for a wider
0:20:32 > 0:20:38Yorkshire court settlement is compelling, so is supported by the
0:20:38 > 0:20:43by the CBI, the IOD, the FSB and the TUC, and of course the Chancellor's
0:20:43 > 0:20:46own colleagues in local government. Does he recognise the strength of
0:20:46 > 0:20:51economic argument and if so can he speak to his colleagues?
0:20:51 > 0:20:53Mr Speaker, the Government is committed the Sheffield city region
0:20:53 > 0:21:00deal, which will bring £1 billion of new Government investment to the
0:21:00 > 0:21:05area. We recognise the debate going on about possible wider Yorkshire
0:21:05 > 0:21:09-based deals. We are happy to consider that if it can be done in a
0:21:09 > 0:21:13way that does not disrupt the existing deal agreed for the
0:21:13 > 0:21:22Sheffield city region, that is. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Bank of
0:21:22 > 0:21:25England deputy governor argued that it could perhaps lead to a sharp
0:21:25 > 0:21:29step down in the UK productivity growth. This is likely to hit
0:21:29 > 0:21:33regions in different ways and today mobility commission talked about the
0:21:33 > 0:21:38widening geographic divide. What impact does he believe the
0:21:38 > 0:21:42Chancellor, that is, his extra resources talked about in light of
0:21:42 > 0:21:47preparation for Brexit, will have in tackling regional productivity
0:21:47 > 0:21:52issues and social mobility? We know some of the things that
0:21:52 > 0:21:54cause and drive low productivity performance. Regional differences is
0:21:54 > 0:21:57one thing and low levels of capital investment in private businesses is
0:21:57 > 0:22:03another. Relatively low levels of public infrastructure investment,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06and poor skills. What we set out in the budget is a raft of measures
0:22:06 > 0:22:10which will address all of them. The end result of this is that this
0:22:10 > 0:22:16Government on average over this Parliament will be investing £25
0:22:16 > 0:22:19billion per year in real terms more than the average that the Labour
0:22:19 > 0:22:23Government did over a period in office.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27Richard Bacon. To encourage economic growth in
0:22:27 > 0:22:30stoke the local council is offering serviced plots of land to finance
0:22:30 > 0:22:34directors and managing directors to build they houses and bring
0:22:34 > 0:22:39businesses and invest, grating more jobs and economic growth. Does the
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Chancellor agree this is a model that could be followed elsewhere?
0:22:42 > 0:22:47Each other as in all other areas of policy, custom house building has a
0:22:47 > 0:22:52great deal to offer economic growth? My honourable friend has been
0:22:52 > 0:22:56consistent in arguing the case for the promotion of self building
0:22:56 > 0:23:00custom houses and it has an important role to play in our
0:23:00 > 0:23:04ambition of delivering 300,000 homes, net additional homes per
0:23:04 > 0:23:07year, by the middle of the next decade.
0:23:07 > 0:23:16Does my right honourable friend only in seeing the potential for a big
0:23:16 > 0:23:22amount of investment in the north-eastern Scotland investment to
0:23:22 > 0:23:25happen because of the Budget and could he encourage the SNP in
0:23:25 > 0:23:29Scottish Labour to get on board? I am happy to agree with my
0:23:29 > 0:23:33honourable friend that the North Sea as a basin is coming towards the end
0:23:33 > 0:23:38of its life, but nonetheless there are many billions of barrels of oil
0:23:38 > 0:23:42potentially to be exploited there, which involve very large amounts of
0:23:42 > 0:23:46economic activity in the region and potentially significant receipts to
0:23:46 > 0:23:49the Treasury. The measure that we have taken will stimulate economic
0:23:49 > 0:23:54growth in the region and ethical goes well, we will also see a
0:23:54 > 0:23:58generating a windfall to the UK Exchequer.
0:23:58 > 0:24:04The Chancellor is right to say that all productivity levels and regional
0:24:04 > 0:24:07variations within that are closely linked to skills and education. You
0:24:07 > 0:24:11also know that this starts in the earliest years of a child's live.
0:24:11 > 0:24:20We'll Chancellor look very kindly at Greater Manchester to boost school
0:24:20 > 0:24:23readiness in early years. It is a small the money to innovate and
0:24:23 > 0:24:28transform these remote years. I heard what the honourable lady
0:24:28 > 0:24:31said and my honourable friend tells me that he is meeting with the mayor
0:24:31 > 0:24:35of Manchester next week to discuss this issue.
0:24:35 > 0:24:42Thanks to this Government investment of £22 million pledged by the local
0:24:42 > 0:24:45authorities, children can look forward with confidence to a cyber
0:24:45 > 0:24:49hub creating cyber excellence in the home of GCHQ. Isn't this the kind of
0:24:49 > 0:24:55project which will drive opportunity and productivity growth in
0:24:55 > 0:24:58constituencies like mine? Is. GCHQ is a world-class resource
0:24:58 > 0:25:06and the way it has engaged in seeking to use its expertise to
0:25:06 > 0:25:10create a world-class cybersecurity business as a business sector in the
0:25:10 > 0:25:17UK economy is exemplary and we should encourage them.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22Thank you, Mr Speaker. No wonder the honourable gentleman referred to a
0:25:22 > 0:25:26leadership E. Three quarters of the Cabinet queueing up to get into it,
0:25:26 > 0:25:33basically. Mr Speaker, what specific impact does the Chancellor think a
0:25:33 > 0:25:361,000,000,002-year grant, that is the equivalent to the one he gave to
0:25:36 > 0:25:40Northern Ireland, would have on regional economic growth in, for
0:25:40 > 0:25:45example, my honourable friend for Barnsley Central, Sheffield city
0:25:45 > 0:25:55region? -- a £1 billion grant for two years?
0:25:55 > 0:26:01I think my jokes were better than his. As I said to the honourable
0:26:01 > 0:26:04member for Barnsley, the Sheffield city region deal would bring £1
0:26:04 > 0:26:08billion of new Government investment into the area. That will stimulate
0:26:08 > 0:26:13local economic growth and it will stimulator job creation and it will
0:26:13 > 0:26:17support up skilling in the area and it will support improvement of the
0:26:17 > 0:26:22infrastructure. Doing these deals around the country and making funds
0:26:22 > 0:26:26available to local authorities who know best what is necessary for
0:26:26 > 0:26:35their areas is the way to deliver enhanced economic growth.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will give the Chancellor another opportunity,
0:26:39 > 0:26:41that perhaps they could give an answer to a similar question of
0:26:41 > 0:26:54regional productivity. If you provided, for example 1000000000
0:26:54 > 0:27:04pounds...
0:27:07 > 0:27:11I am pretty confident that I could take £1 billion and invested in a
0:27:11 > 0:27:23way that would enhance productivity and similar economic road.When
0:27:23 > 0:27:26really is the European Union, we will insist that we have a robust
0:27:26 > 0:27:32regime in place to make sure that we have robust measures to take against
0:27:32 > 0:27:39dumping and import surges. Part of that will be a different role, as we
0:27:39 > 0:27:42have at the same time, to ensure that we take measures that are
0:27:42 > 0:27:57proportionate in terms of protecting our consumers. Thank you, Mr
0:27:57 > 0:28:01Speaker. You will be aware that the trade bill, that will do some of the
0:28:01 > 0:28:10least generous in the world trade organisation countries. We want to
0:28:10 > 0:28:22make this bill better so that we can protect British manufacturing.Next
0:28:22 > 0:28:26year, we will start to pay down the debt for the first time in 17 years,
0:28:26 > 0:28:30that will reduce the burden on future generations and help our
0:28:30 > 0:28:40young people.Today's state of the nation report made very clear that
0:28:40 > 0:28:44the social mobility barriers that are facing many young people today.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48Given this Government's record of cuts to social funding, raising
0:28:48 > 0:28:52tuition fees, and a failure to put affordable housing for families and
0:28:52 > 0:28:57young people, these findings are lots of rising. That might not
0:28:57 > 0:29:08surprising.I will point out to the honourable gentleman, that you
0:29:08 > 0:29:12thought that employment rose under the Labour Government to 20%, when
0:29:12 > 0:29:15the left office, but they let down young people with stagnating
0:29:15 > 0:29:21standards in English and maths, inflation and rising youth
0:29:21 > 0:29:25unemployment. Under this Government, we are increasing the number of
0:29:25 > 0:29:28apprenticeships, we have improved the school curriculum, we have
0:29:28 > 0:29:31brought in new academies and preschools, and youth unemployment
0:29:31 > 0:29:37is at its lowest level for over 13 years.Does my honourable friend
0:29:37 > 0:29:46agreed that the budget will support young people in significantly
0:29:46 > 0:29:49lowering their commuting cost, and encourage more youth into
0:29:49 > 0:29:53employment?My honourable friend is right, of course that will help
0:29:53 > 0:29:58young people, we'll also have introduced these cup for first-time
0:29:58 > 0:30:03buyers, which will help many net 20s and 30s get on the housing ladder
0:30:03 > 0:30:07for the first time. We also putting new money into maths and computer
0:30:07 > 0:30:10science, to help young people get the skills that they need to succeed
0:30:10 > 0:30:20in the modern economy.The UK economy is fundamentally strong, we
0:30:20 > 0:30:23have seen 19 consecutive quarters of growth, unemployment is at its
0:30:23 > 0:30:37lowest levels for 32 years, and be a BR -- obeah forecasts...Does my
0:30:37 > 0:30:43honourable friend agreed that it is only by investing in infrastructure,
0:30:43 > 0:30:48that we can clearly build a Britain that is fit for the future?I very
0:30:48 > 0:30:51much agree with my honourable friend. It is for that reason that
0:30:51 > 0:30:58the Government has set out a deal including £250 million. And is --
0:30:58 > 0:31:07for transport scheme such as judge and ten of the M6.They need
0:31:07 > 0:31:13superfast broadband. Can the Minister tell what he's going to do
0:31:13 > 0:31:21what to ensure that happens?We have invested in the national
0:31:21 > 0:31:31productivity investment funds, including a further £8 billion.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35Yellow rag B though the forecast last week did show that the only had
0:31:35 > 0:31:47grown but only just. There was a report published this morning that
0:31:47 > 0:31:50did show that household finances were starting to deteriorate
0:31:50 > 0:31:54somewhat, and I wondered whether, you could give some confidence that
0:31:54 > 0:31:58the Government is aware of this, and what they are doing to help
0:31:58 > 0:32:09households to maintain their balance sheets?
0:32:10 > 0:32:14That is always assessed in line with the cyclical offers that are set for
0:32:14 > 0:32:19the banks themselves.Can the economic Secretary explain why the
0:32:19 > 0:32:24Government has decided to sell its shares in RBS now at a loss of over
0:32:24 > 0:32:29£26 billion? The public bail out, yes and they sustained as losses,
0:32:29 > 0:32:36Zhuhai, just... -- but why, should the public make a massive loss? Is
0:32:36 > 0:32:40it not the case that selling these shares, and reclassified as the
0:32:40 > 0:32:43association debt is the only way that the garment can claim that
0:32:43 > 0:32:48their debt is falling. The Government is not selling their
0:32:48 > 0:32:51shares now. Our attention has always been to return the money into the
0:32:51 > 0:32:56private sector and to sell the shares by the end of 2018. What I am
0:32:56 > 0:32:58sure that the honourable gentleman recognises, if that's the balance
0:32:58 > 0:33:05sheet is now half the size of what was in 2008, when his party paid a
0:33:05 > 0:33:08share for those shares. So, the bank is therefore in a very different
0:33:08 > 0:33:18place to the mess that we inherited from the party opposite.The budget
0:33:18 > 0:33:25announced the largest increased the minimum wage in four years. That was
0:33:25 > 0:33:34greater than the increased the bill over 25 is?I am afraid that the
0:33:34 > 0:33:39oddments that the Government put forward, the reality is that under
0:33:39 > 0:33:4425 is not included in the national living wage. That is the financial
0:33:44 > 0:33:51secretary... Why shamefully apprentices are paid as little as £3
0:33:51 > 0:33:5870 under this new budget?As I have just pointed out, younger workers
0:33:58 > 0:34:02are getting a bigger rise than those over the age of 25, and the reason
0:34:02 > 0:34:07that there is a lower rate, is that the vital importance of making sure
0:34:07 > 0:34:10that young people get into work, they get that work experience, and
0:34:10 > 0:34:13they build up these girls, because we don't want to end up, where we
0:34:13 > 0:34:18were at the end of the Labour Government, with 20% youth
0:34:18 > 0:34:20unemployment, and those young people losing out on opportunities for
0:34:20 > 0:34:29life.Mr Speaker, with your permission, I would like to answer
0:34:29 > 0:34:34this question together with question 15. We are expanding the national
0:34:34 > 0:34:44investment funds to provide billion pounds of investment. We are more
0:34:44 > 0:34:47than doubling the housing infrastructure funds to £5 billion.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50We have published a national introduction and construction
0:34:50 > 0:34:53pipeline, delivering the largest realm modernisation since Victorian
0:34:53 > 0:34:57times. The biggest road investment programmes of the 1970s, and two of
0:34:57 > 0:35:03the largest independent rail projects in Europe. Taken together,
0:35:03 > 0:35:07this means that this Government will invest in average £25 billion Pogba
0:35:07 > 0:35:19and in real terms, than you during the 1997 to 2010 Government.I
0:35:19 > 0:35:21welcome the investment in infrastructure, and the Oxford to
0:35:21 > 0:35:25Cambridge corridor, which will bring significant benefits to my area. It
0:35:25 > 0:35:29is important is that when we plan more houses, we get the
0:35:29 > 0:35:33infrastructure in before housing is in place. Does the Chancellor agree
0:35:33 > 0:35:41with that position?I agree with my honourable friend. The Cambridge,
0:35:41 > 0:35:50Milton Keynes, Oxford corridor has the potential for being a global
0:35:50 > 0:35:53interest-rate corridor. I agree that we need a joined up plan which
0:35:53 > 0:35:57covers jobs, homes and infrastructure. Local and national
0:35:57 > 0:36:00Government has worked together with development and investors to align
0:36:00 > 0:36:04the livery of these elements to ensure that infrastructure is in
0:36:04 > 0:36:10place. To support the housing growth in the corridor.Over the last
0:36:10 > 0:36:16months, we have seen many accidents on the main artery through my
0:36:16 > 0:36:19constituency, on a 38, I am currently working with partners to
0:36:19 > 0:36:23get much needed urgent improvements on this road, could I ask the
0:36:23 > 0:36:30Treasury to make sure that that extra investment will enable that
0:36:30 > 0:36:35work to under way.We have committed to invest over £2 billion in the
0:36:35 > 0:36:40strategic road network in the south-west, including these first
0:36:40 > 0:37:01steps towards transforming the 8303, -- A303. Others such as the A38 will
0:37:01 > 0:37:08be included in the real strategy. The Chancellor will know that even
0:37:08 > 0:37:11after the budget, the south-eastern and London Worcester have a
0:37:11 > 0:37:13disproportionate share of the construction spending. Could the
0:37:13 > 0:37:20Chancellor undertake to give an annual report to Parliament which
0:37:20 > 0:37:23would each other spending and economic impact of that spending
0:37:23 > 0:37:29across different regions?Mr Speaker, and certainly happy to look
0:37:29 > 0:37:32at the information we hold, and whether it could be presented in a
0:37:32 > 0:37:37way that would satisfy the honourable gentleman's requirements,
0:37:37 > 0:37:42it is a legitimate question, but of this infrastructure investment will
0:37:42 > 0:37:49have impact across the country. For example, investment in HS two, will
0:37:49 > 0:37:54benefit part of the northern England by more than it benefits the areas
0:37:54 > 0:38:01through which the area will run.Can you explain why the rail funding
0:38:01 > 0:38:11firm has been ignored and Scotland's rail budget has been cut?In the
0:38:11 > 0:38:15Network Rail 's CP six investment programme, as I understand it, and I
0:38:15 > 0:38:19will correct myself if I'm wrong, but as I understand it, the
0:38:19 > 0:38:24allocation to Scotland is exactly proportionate to the overall England
0:38:24 > 0:38:35Wales and Scotland budget.Thank you, Mr Speaker. The huge terms of
0:38:35 > 0:38:38additional houses, and the additional traffic that will come
0:38:38 > 0:38:42with a new Thames crossing, the congestion issues that already faced
0:38:42 > 0:38:47the commuters across north Kent, will the Chancellor outline plans to
0:38:47 > 0:38:55boost investment.We do have plans for investment in the region,
0:38:55 > 0:38:59including the lower Thames crossing project, but I recognise the
0:38:59 > 0:39:05challenge that the honourable lady presents. If there is going to be
0:39:05 > 0:39:09significant expansion of housing in the region, it is essential that the
0:39:09 > 0:39:14strategic infrastructure is put in place. It will be essential that
0:39:14 > 0:39:21we... My right honourable friend, the community secretary will be
0:39:21 > 0:39:24bringing proposals through in due course to ensure that we are able to
0:39:24 > 0:39:29capture land uplift for those areas. The British Government has gone back
0:39:29 > 0:39:40on their promised... What specific infrastructure project are the
0:39:40 > 0:39:44Government investing in Wales?The honourable gentleman says that the
0:39:44 > 0:39:48Government has gone back on a problem to electrified the railway,
0:39:48 > 0:39:53what passengers care about is the quality of service, the frequency of
0:39:53 > 0:39:58service, the reliability of service, and the speed of the service. Train
0:39:58 > 0:40:02technology has moved on, so all of those requirements can be met with
0:40:02 > 0:40:11the new hybrid trains that are being deployed on that network.Thank you,
0:40:11 > 0:40:18Mr Speaker. The UK is a world leading place to start a business.
0:40:18 > 0:40:28Start-ups create jobs, track investments, and bring in innovative
0:40:28 > 0:40:31problem jab technologies. We want our start-ups to grow and succeed.
0:40:31 > 0:40:38That is why the Chancellor has that at a club heads of package to invest
0:40:38 > 0:40:44in new businesses.Start-ups and small businesses form the backbone
0:40:44 > 0:40:49of local economies. I will be visiting some this weekend at my
0:40:49 > 0:40:54constituency. Can my honourable friend say what more is being done
0:40:54 > 0:41:02to support these micro-and small businesses?Well, I will be visiting
0:41:02 > 0:41:05small businesses, and I agree entirely with the comment that small
0:41:05 > 0:41:08businesses are the backbone of the local economy, and that is why the
0:41:08 > 0:41:14Chancellor responded to the number one ask in business, by announcing a
0:41:14 > 0:41:22£2.3 billion package to reduce business written in the budget. That
0:41:22 > 0:41:26was worth approximately £9 billion over five years. It is why our
0:41:26 > 0:41:30modern industrial strategy provide continued funding to ensure that
0:41:30 > 0:41:36businesses can access support locally.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40What assessment has the Minister made on the impact to the economy of
0:41:40 > 0:41:43small businesses started out by disabled entrepreneurs? How can we
0:41:43 > 0:41:49champion this and access the potential of people with
0:41:49 > 0:41:52disabilities for our economy? I think she makes a valuable point
0:41:52 > 0:41:56and by raising the question here in the House and discussing it in our
0:41:56 > 0:42:00political system we highlight that disability should not be a problem
0:42:00 > 0:42:08in terms of starting businesses. She makes a valuable point and I agree.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12Number 16. As a result of the Government
0:42:12 > 0:42:18decision to bring public finances back under control, the forecast has
0:42:18 > 0:42:23sustained GDP from next year onwards with debt falling from 86.5% of GDP
0:42:23 > 0:42:30to 79.1% by 2022 - 23. The first sustained decline in debt for 17
0:42:30 > 0:42:34years. Thank you for that contribution.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37Could he comment on the impact on the economy of raising debt by £500
0:42:37 > 0:42:44billion? Increasing debt by £500 billion
0:42:44 > 0:42:49would increase debt interest by £7 billion per year. This would reduce
0:42:49 > 0:42:54our economic and fiscal resilience and drown out spending on valuable
0:42:54 > 0:43:00public services and pass a greater debt burden to future generations.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04The answer the Minister gave some years ago on the sale of RBS shares
0:43:04 > 0:43:09to deal with Government that's... Only confirm the Government will
0:43:09 > 0:43:12abide by the commitment of the Chancellor predecessor not to sell
0:43:12 > 0:43:20below the acquisition price?As the honourable gentleman will remember
0:43:20 > 0:43:24from my reply earlier, the bank is in a different place from 2008 when
0:43:24 > 0:43:28shares were purchased. That reflects action taken to simplify the balance
0:43:28 > 0:43:34sheets and make it a safer, more streamlined bank.
0:43:34 > 0:43:38The Government has made considerable progress... Sorry, Mr Speaker,
0:43:38 > 0:43:45number 18. Youth unemployment has decreased by
0:43:45 > 0:43:528.3% since 2010. It is now at its lowest rate for over 13 years but we
0:43:52 > 0:43:57are not complacent. Thus we are investing in skills to get more
0:43:57 > 0:44:02young people into jobs. The Government has made significant
0:44:02 > 0:44:05progress on reducing youth unemployment and in the area I
0:44:05 > 0:44:07represent in the Black Country too many young people emerge from
0:44:07 > 0:44:11education with a lack of basic skills, which holds the region back.
0:44:11 > 0:44:16Would you agree that we need to continue to invest in skills,
0:44:16 > 0:44:19particularly for young people who lack basic skills, so they can take
0:44:19 > 0:44:24advantage of opportunities? My honourable friend is correct.
0:44:24 > 0:44:28That is why we are putting extra money in the budget in terms of
0:44:28 > 0:44:32tripling the number of computer science teachers, giving £600 to
0:44:32 > 0:44:36every school and sixth form College, where students take Cormac maths or
0:44:36 > 0:44:40A-level maths, to make sure all young people have the best start in
0:44:40 > 0:44:47life? Topical questions, Danielle rolling?
0:44:47 > 0:44:51Mr Speaker, the budget laid out the Government vision for a global
0:44:51 > 0:44:56Britain after we leave the EU, and our ambitious plans to the long-term
0:44:56 > 0:45:00challenges that we face, so we can build an economy fit for the future.
0:45:00 > 0:45:05Our balanced approach enables us to give households and businesses the
0:45:05 > 0:45:10support they need in near term as well as investing in future for this
0:45:10 > 0:45:14country. The investment in our indeed, infrastructure, skills and
0:45:14 > 0:45:18housing, we will seize opportunities of a rapidly changing economy, while
0:45:18 > 0:45:22being there to the next generation by reducing the national debt that
0:45:22 > 0:45:27remains too large. Mr Speaker, members will have heard
0:45:27 > 0:45:33last week about the Government failure on productivity and there
0:45:33 > 0:45:36will be revising of the forecast for our economy over this Parliament.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39Can the Chancellor tell us today how much worse off someone will be on
0:45:39 > 0:45:45the National Living Wage in 2020 compared to the forecasts in March
0:45:45 > 0:45:49as a result of this Government failure on wages?
0:45:49 > 0:45:54Hear, hear. As I told he has already today,
0:45:54 > 0:45:58somebody on the National Living Wage as a result of the increase we are
0:45:58 > 0:46:02now announcing in the budget will be £2000 per year better off than when
0:46:02 > 0:46:07the National Living Wage was introduced in 2016. That is before
0:46:07 > 0:46:13tax. Taking into account the effect of the very significant increase in
0:46:13 > 0:46:18the personal allowance threshold, which has reduced tax by 30 million
0:46:18 > 0:46:20people, taking 4 million people out of tax altogether, that same
0:46:20 > 0:46:25full-time worker on the National Living Wage will be £3600 per year
0:46:25 > 0:46:35better off than 3020 ten. -- compared to 2010.
0:46:35 > 0:46:38Small businesses suffer worse than large clients. Some firms have been
0:46:38 > 0:46:43forced to accept this kind of 10% to get paid in 90 days. The Government
0:46:43 > 0:46:47has introduced transparency to make large firms behave more
0:46:47 > 0:46:50transparently in regards to payments will be Chancellor stand ready to
0:46:50 > 0:46:54take further action to stop big firms using small businesses as a
0:46:54 > 0:46:59source of cheap loans? We know that late payment are
0:46:59 > 0:47:03serious issue for small businesses and that is why we act to tackle
0:47:03 > 0:47:09unfair practices. As my right friend mentioned, we want to improve
0:47:09 > 0:47:15transparency with large businesses and practices. There has been a
0:47:15 > 0:47:20payment code signed and we have appointed a small business
0:47:20 > 0:47:24Commissioner to support small businesses resolving disputes with
0:47:24 > 0:47:32larger firms. Can I ask the Chancellor why the
0:47:32 > 0:47:36Government has not brought forward an amendment of the law resolution
0:47:36 > 0:47:41in today's budget resolutions? This is almost unprecedented, and a
0:47:41 > 0:47:44tactic only used when there is an urgent issue to be dealt with. It
0:47:44 > 0:47:47will restrict the ability of honourable members on all sides of
0:47:47 > 0:47:50the house to be able to move amendments and restrict our ability
0:47:50 > 0:47:57to address a range of the economic and social needs of our community.
0:47:57 > 0:48:01Hear, hear. Mr Speaker, the right honourable
0:48:01 > 0:48:06gentlemen is wrong. It is not without precedent. We did not move
0:48:06 > 0:48:09an amendment of the law resolution in relation to the Finance Bill,
0:48:09 > 0:48:14which has just gone through Parliament. It is a small but
0:48:14 > 0:48:17worthwhile modernisation measure, which focuses the debate on the
0:48:17 > 0:48:23measures that we are putting before Parliament in the Finance Bill.
0:48:23 > 0:48:26A lot of the Chancellor why he did not bring forward an amendment of
0:48:26 > 0:48:29the law resolution, it is because he wishes to avoid debate on some of
0:48:29 > 0:48:35the key issues facing our communities. I raise one of those
0:48:35 > 0:48:40questions, Mr Speaker, which was totally neglected last week in the
0:48:40 > 0:48:45Budget. The Chancellor received representations from action for
0:48:45 > 0:48:50children, the local government Association and Barnardos on the
0:48:50 > 0:48:55crisis in children's services, and I quote Sir Tony, Chief Executive
0:48:55 > 0:48:59action for children. He says children services are on unstable
0:48:59 > 0:49:04and dangerous putting. We are crawling to prioritise services
0:49:04 > 0:49:09children need before this crisis turns into a catastrophe. What was
0:49:09 > 0:49:14in his mind when he prioritised giving nearly 5 billion to the banks
0:49:14 > 0:49:17rather than plugging the gap in children's services to those most in
0:49:17 > 0:49:21need? Hear, hear.
0:49:21 > 0:49:23Mr Speaker, they will be more than adequate time to discuss the
0:49:23 > 0:49:28measures in the Finance Bill, because with the Finance Bill the
0:49:28 > 0:49:31debate is about measures being put forward by the Government under the
0:49:31 > 0:49:33Finance Bill. That is what Parliament is here to debate and
0:49:33 > 0:49:41that is what we will have time to debate under this arrangement.
0:49:41 > 0:49:44Businesses in Europe well, rising public investment in research and
0:49:44 > 0:49:47development, but even more so they welcome the chance to do it
0:49:47 > 0:49:52themselves with lower business taxes under this Government. What will be
0:49:52 > 0:49:55Chancellor do to encourage more businesses to take in the increased
0:49:55 > 0:50:02research and development tax credits and the patent box delivered in the
0:50:02 > 0:50:05budget? The Government recognises the vital
0:50:05 > 0:50:07importance, Mr Speaker, R and D and driving up investment and business
0:50:07 > 0:50:15and improving productivity, which is why our and the investment is of
0:50:15 > 0:50:19proportionate of GDP is on the rise. We will push further towards our
0:50:19 > 0:50:24target of 2.4% going forward. We have in this budget announced an
0:50:24 > 0:50:32increase in R and D tax credit expenditure credits from 11% to 12%.
0:50:32 > 0:50:37Kirsty Blackmon. Mr Speaker, in the budget, over £1
0:50:37 > 0:50:41million of the so-called extra money for Scotland was in the form of
0:50:41 > 0:50:43financial transaction money. That is money the Scottish Government has
0:50:43 > 0:50:50got to pay back. The block grant for spending on front line services is
0:50:50 > 0:50:56down £213 million in real terms. How can the Chancellor suggest that £230
0:50:56 > 0:51:01million reduction for Scotland is a good deal for us?
0:51:01 > 0:51:07Scotland's spending power has been increased by £2 billion in this
0:51:07 > 0:51:09Budget, including financial transactions which support fantastic
0:51:09 > 0:51:14schemes such as help to buy. But what we need to see if the SNP
0:51:14 > 0:51:21Government using their powers to deliver for Scotland, such as
0:51:21 > 0:51:26improving their appalling results in English and maths education.
0:51:26 > 0:51:30Mr Speaker, can I congratulate the councillor for freezing the duty and
0:51:30 > 0:51:33wine and spirits, making sure future changes only come into effect after
0:51:33 > 0:51:37Christmas? Will they look at the anomaly of white excellent English
0:51:37 > 0:51:44sparkling wine at 11% strength is taxed at £2.77 per bottle against
0:51:44 > 0:51:49£2.16 for higher strength still wine, against just 2p per bottle in
0:51:49 > 0:51:52France, and bowsprit it will be given a boost to this growing
0:51:52 > 0:51:56inequality in the quality British product?
0:51:56 > 0:52:00We support the English wine industry and that is why we announced in the
0:52:00 > 0:52:05autumn budget a freeze in wine duty. EU law, duty and high-strength
0:52:05 > 0:52:08sparkling wine must be the same as that on highest ranked sparkling
0:52:08 > 0:52:12cider, and if we reduce the duty on highest strength sparkling wine it
0:52:12 > 0:52:17would mean reducing the duty and a category of alcohol effectively
0:52:17 > 0:52:20associated with problem drinking. I recognise how much of a champion
0:52:20 > 0:52:24Mike honourable friend is for English wine and I think he is right
0:52:24 > 0:52:27in detecting and promoting our opportunities at home.
0:52:27 > 0:52:33Thank you, Mr Speaker. We welcome the scrapping of VAT for Scotland's
0:52:33 > 0:52:35police and Fire Services, this Government finally seeing sense. In
0:52:35 > 0:52:40an interview this year is a Conservative MPs said there is no
0:52:40 > 0:52:43justification for a VAT refund. What is the Chancellor think of that
0:52:43 > 0:52:48statement and that he not agree that the £140 million of that should be
0:52:48 > 0:52:51reimbursed to our vital emergency services?
0:52:51 > 0:52:53Hear, hear. I think we will take that as the
0:52:53 > 0:52:58closest we will get for gratitude from the Scottish National Party.
0:52:58 > 0:53:04The fact is that it was a mistake by the SNP in the devolution agreement
0:53:04 > 0:53:09to sign up to that, despite that, we did not want to punish the people of
0:53:09 > 0:53:13Scotland, which is why we have taken action on that VAT, as well as
0:53:13 > 0:53:20freezing whisky juicy thanks to the representations of our fantastic
0:53:20 > 0:53:26Scottish Conservative colleagues. -- freezing whisky duty.
0:53:26 > 0:53:29Does my right honourable friend agree it is thanks to Conservative
0:53:29 > 0:53:34action that today the richest 1% are paying 27% of all income tax
0:53:34 > 0:53:37revenue? That is more than any time under the Labour Party and it makes
0:53:37 > 0:53:42this gap between rich and poor are the lowest on record.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45Speaker, the Government is committed to a fair tax system in which those
0:53:45 > 0:53:49with the broadest shoulders bear the greatest burden.
0:53:49 > 0:53:52LAUGHTER I am pleased to confirm my
0:53:52 > 0:53:57honourable friend is almost correct that the latest districts show that
0:53:57 > 0:54:03in 2017 - 18, the top 1% of taxpayers are forecast to pay 28% of
0:54:03 > 0:54:08all income tax liabilities and that in 2015, 16, income inequality fell
0:54:08 > 0:54:14to its lowest level since the mid-19 80s under a Conservative Government,
0:54:14 > 0:54:17Mr Speaker. Thank you, Mr Speaker. We'll be
0:54:17 > 0:54:21Chancellor take this opportunity to confront this House the words the
0:54:21 > 0:54:24Prime Minister gave to the Manchester evening News on Sunday
0:54:24 > 0:54:30evening at the Government will reimburse all the monies that has
0:54:30 > 0:54:34fallen and Manchester services associated with the arena attack and
0:54:34 > 0:54:40the future costs such as the coroner's inquest just starting?
0:54:40 > 0:54:42Hear, hear. Aggie honourable lady from a
0:54:42 > 0:54:47question and I can confirm that is the case. -- I thank the honourable
0:54:47 > 0:54:50lady for her question. The Chancellor will be aware of the
0:54:50 > 0:54:53need for investment in infrastructure, in particular to
0:54:53 > 0:54:56ensure the resilience of the causal railway at Dora Lesh. What
0:54:56 > 0:55:01reassurance can he give me funding will be available to carry out the
0:55:01 > 0:55:07Network Rail scheme and deliver the aspect of the task force?
0:55:07 > 0:55:12Thank you. The railway is vital for continued growth and prosperity in
0:55:12 > 0:55:14south-west England, which is why this Government invested £400
0:55:14 > 0:55:19million in the Southwest network, including £10 million for the
0:55:19 > 0:55:23section around that part. The Government has committed to Dublin
0:55:23 > 0:55:28and renewals for the next controlled period and the Southwest will action
0:55:28 > 0:55:34mag the Government has committed to doubling renewals.
0:55:34 > 0:55:39£250,000 committed to funding income projects across Scotland. This is
0:55:39 > 0:55:43based on evidence based policy. Will the UK Government bond itself to
0:55:43 > 0:55:51funding a basic income project? If the honourable gentleman is
0:55:51 > 0:55:54looking for advice on evidence -based policy for Scotland, I think
0:55:54 > 0:55:59he needs to look at areas like the education system where the SNP
0:55:59 > 0:56:02Government have failed Scottish children and are holding back their
0:56:02 > 0:56:12opportunities? Thank you, Mr Speaker. Factories are
0:56:12 > 0:56:16boosting productivity by adopting new techniques and technologies, and
0:56:16 > 0:56:21will my right honourable friend continue to support the growth,
0:56:21 > 0:56:24harmony and innovation? Mr Speaker, my honourable friend
0:56:24 > 0:56:28knows that I will. It is only by embracing this technology and by
0:56:28 > 0:56:34looking to the future and committing to accepting the change that is
0:56:34 > 0:56:37inevitable and working with our workforces and with our companies to
0:56:37 > 0:56:40ensure that we are ready for it and able to take full advantage of it,
0:56:40 > 0:56:44that we can raise living standards sustainably in the future, and that
0:56:44 > 0:56:50is what we intend to do. I was delighted when the Financial
0:56:50 > 0:56:54Conduct Authority extended its compensation scheme to cover debt
0:56:54 > 0:56:57management companies. I wonder whether the Chancellor could tell
0:56:57 > 0:57:02the house whether he has had any discussions with the groups about
0:57:02 > 0:57:11that daycare compensation scheme to cover the victims of this thing,
0:57:11 > 0:57:14about people losing millions of pounds prolonged over 2016 and
0:57:14 > 0:57:19agreed to meet with the victims? Happy to meet with the honourable
0:57:19 > 0:57:24gentleman, as he is aware. This is for the Financial Conduct Authority
0:57:24 > 0:57:27am sure they will send out further details as to how historic debts
0:57:27 > 0:57:37will be covered.
0:57:37 > 0:57:47Can I ask how the Chancellor can justify widening the pay gap's?
0:57:47 > 0:57:48Can I ask how the Chancellor can justify widening the payLike I
0:57:48 > 0:57:54said, we are raising the minimum wage for the jungle that workers at
0:57:54 > 0:57:59a higher rate, than for the over 25s. The most important thing is
0:57:59 > 0:58:03that we help those people get his experience, get the training they
0:58:03 > 0:58:06need to get into work, rather than leaving them on the scrapheap which
0:58:06 > 0:58:18is what happened under the previous Labour Government.
0:58:19 > 0:58:26What about the other paper that has gone missing. I put down a question
0:58:26 > 0:58:39on the 16th of November, or no answer has come yet. I think it is
0:58:39 > 0:58:43an important paper, I am sure that my right honourable friend agrees.
0:58:43 > 0:58:46Mr Speaker, I do agree with my right honourable friend, this is of course
0:58:46 > 0:58:50a vitally important sector, the details of publication of documents
0:58:50 > 0:59:01is a matter for the... But as she raised I will look into it.Can the
0:59:01 > 0:59:06Chancellor tell the House that the £350 million a week promised to us
0:59:06 > 0:59:11by the Foreign Secretary over the weekend has been factored into booby
0:59:11 > 0:59:30are projections, or indeed his own budget? -- into booby are...
0:59:35 > 0:59:42Mr Speaker, yesterday, I intended ace summit looking at how we can
0:59:42 > 0:59:48improve the... I love that notably transport is the lowest of any
0:59:48 > 0:59:55region in the entire country. Given that it is the finest region in the
0:59:55 > 0:59:58country. Could the Chancellor in all seriousness get a commitment to make
0:59:58 > 1:00:02sure that in the future, the mighty east midlands will have its fair
1:00:02 > 1:00:12share.
1:00:18 > 1:00:21I will have met with her in the East Midlands to discuss the
1:00:21 > 1:00:25opportunities there. I can assure that we will be working together to
1:00:25 > 1:00:31make sure that they benefit.The minister is a wise fellow, and he
1:00:31 > 1:00:37relies is that otherwise, he faces an irresistible force, and I would
1:00:37 > 1:00:49fear for the honourable gentleman's physical well-being.
1:00:59 > 1:01:07Despite the clear wrongdoings in the banking sector, the banks are too
1:01:07 > 1:01:14wealthy to sue, so they cannot get justice. There are calls for an
1:01:14 > 1:01:17independent tribunal to provide accountability. Would you agree with
1:01:17 > 1:01:23me to discuss our proposal?I am of course, very happy to meet with my
1:01:23 > 1:01:29honourable friend to discuss this. One of the... The financial
1:01:29 > 1:01:40ombudsman service and how that could step in to bring comfort... Belleau
1:01:40 > 1:01:43what difference will be additional spending on the health service
1:01:43 > 1:01:51announced in the budget last week make to my constituents?My
1:01:51 > 1:01:54honourable friend is absolutely right. We have seen increasing
1:01:54 > 1:01:58demand on the NHS. That is why we have put in an extra £3.6 billion.
1:01:58 > 1:02:04That will help us reduce waiting lists, and importantly, it will help
1:02:04 > 1:02:07us make sure that nurses and other public sector