Tenth opposition day debate (part two). Motion that this House regrets the combination of catastrophic choices made by the Government causing the closure, downsizing and lack of hiring by pubs, restaurants, hotels and hospitality businesses across the United Kingdom, with an estimated 84,000 job losses over the last 12 months and an average of two site closures per day in the first half of 2025; further regrets the Government's policies that have led to this such as the omission of the hospitality sector from the Government's industrial strategy, increases in the cost of pavement licences, the reduction in retail, hospitality and leisure business rates relief from 75 per cent to 40 per cent for 2025–26, the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions to 15 per cent and the lowering of the secondary threshold to £5,000, and measures in the Employment Rights Bill which will make hospitality employers liable for the behaviour of customers and others; and calls on the Government to publish a dedicated strategy for the sector, to consult with hospitality employers prior to any future changes to the National Living Wage, to amend the Employment Rights Bill to protect seasonal and flexible employment practices vital to the sectors' contribution in providing a ladder into employment for young and often excluded groups and to introduce targeted support measures to prevent further business closures, job losses and damage to local communities. Negatived on division (158 to 334).

Tenth opposition day debate (part two). Motion that this House regrets the combination of catastrophic choices made by the Government causing the closure, downsizing and lack of hiring by pubs, restaurants, hotels and hospitality businesses across the United Kingdom, with an estimated 84,000 job losses over the last 12 months...

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether changes to taxation arrangements of furnished holiday lets will apply to purpose-built holiday lodges on sites designated for leisure and tourism purposes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether changes to taxation arrangements of furnished holiday lets will apply to purpose-built holiday lodges on sites designated for leisure and tourism purposes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many incidents of tax fraud involving (a) the VAT484 form and (b) other paper forms HMRC has recorded in each of last five financial years; and what the (i) total and (ii) average value of those incidents is.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many incidents of tax fraud involving (a) the VAT484 form and (b) other paper forms HMRC has recorded in each of last five financial years; and what the (i) total and (ii) average value of those incidents is.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to improve the (a) efficiency of and (b) resources available to HMRC's tax recovery strategy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to improve the (a) efficiency of and (b) resources available to HMRC's tax recovery strategy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2024 to Question 21018 on Holiday Accommodation: Taxation, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the abolition of the furnished holiday lettings tax regime on business resilience and diversification of farms.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2024 to Question 21018 on Holiday Accommodation: Taxation, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the abolition of the furnished holiday lettings tax regime on business resilience and diversification of farms.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many of those receiving State Pension paid tax in the (a) 2021-22, (b) 2022-23, and (c) 2023-24 financial years.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many of those receiving State Pension paid tax in the (a) 2021-22, (b) 2022-23, and (c) 2023-24 financial years.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to simplify the tax system.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to simplify the tax system.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to consult on proposed changes to the Furnished Holiday Lets tax regime.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to consult on proposed changes to the Furnished Holiday Lets tax regime.

Many people in this country remember the abysmal economic performance of the last Labour Government. The tax-free allowance was £6,475; it is now £12,570. More than 1.5 million people have been taken out of paying income tax altogether. The Government have a focus: now that the economy is turning, we want to put more money into people’s pockets. That is exactly what we are doing with the national insurance cuts and other measures, and I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman does not welcome that.

Many people in this country remember the abysmal economic performance of the last Labour Government. The tax-free allowance was £6,475; it is now £12,570. More than 1.5 million people have been taken out of paying income tax altogether. The Government have a focus: now that the economy is turning, we want to put more money into people’s pockets. That is exactly what we are doing with the national insurance cuts and other measures, and I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman does not welcome that.

Thanks to a combination of national insurance cuts and above-inflation increases to thresholds since 2010, the average worker on £35,400 will pay more than £1,500 less in personal taxes this year. In addition, maintaining fuel duty rates at their current levels represents a further £13 billion benefit to households over the three years since the introduction of the freeze.

Thanks to a combination of national insurance cuts and above-inflation increases to thresholds since 2010, the average worker on £35,400 will pay more than £1,500 less in personal taxes this year. In addition, maintaining fuel duty rates at their current levels represents a further £13 billion benefit to households over the three years since the introduction of the freeze.

The hon. Lady’s first comment was correct: everyone in this House recognises the extreme cost of living challenges over the past few years, and that is precisely why the Government have adopted the strategy of a laser focus on inflation, combined with tax cuts and, recently, national insurance cuts. We have a very constructive and positive relationship with the EU, and are always engaging with it on a variety of matters.

The hon. Lady’s first comment was correct: everyone in this House recognises the extreme cost of living challenges over the past few years, and that is precisely why the Government have adopted the strategy of a laser focus on inflation, combined with tax cuts and, recently, national insurance cuts. We have a very constructive and positive relationship with the EU, and are always engaging with it on a variety of matters.

Of course we recognise the challenges for those on the lowest incomes, which is precisely why we have adopted a whole bunch of other measures, including on housing allowance. If the hon. Gentleman is so opposed to the national insurance cuts that we introduced, why did the Leader of the Opposition support them?

Of course we recognise the challenges for those on the lowest incomes, which is precisely why we have adopted a whole bunch of other measures, including on housing allowance. If the hon. Gentleman is so opposed to the national insurance cuts that we introduced, why did the Leader of the Opposition support them?

It is always a pleasure to see my hon. Friend in his place. He raises a variety of really important issues that show precisely why we work across Government—there are multiple Departments involved—on matters relating to sanctions. The invasion of Ukraine has had an incredible impact around the world, not just in the UK. Everybody in this House should welcome the fact that, because of action taken by this Government and the Bank of England, and other measures, inflation is now falling and will soon hit target.

It is always a pleasure to see my hon. Friend in his place. He raises a variety of really important issues that show precisely why we work across Government—there are multiple Departments involved—on matters relating to sanctions. The invasion of Ukraine has had an incredible impact around the world, not just in the UK. Everybody in this House should welcome the fact that, because of action taken by this Government and the Bank of England, and other measures, inflation is now falling and will soon hit target.

I have to say that I find this hypocrisy astounding. First, if the Opposition objected to the national insurance cuts, why did the Leader of the Opposition say that he supported them? If the Opposition are so keen on abolishing tax dodging, why did they not support our Finance Bill, which had measures in place to do just that? They did not support it; they abstained on it.

I have to say that I find this hypocrisy astounding. First, if the Opposition objected to the national insurance cuts, why did the Leader of the Opposition say that he supported them? If the Opposition are so keen on abolishing tax dodging, why did they not support our Finance Bill, which had measures in place to do just that? They did not support it; they abstained on it.

We recognise the important role that FHLs play in the tourism ecosystem right across the country. The problem was that there was not a level playing field with long-term lets. We are making sure that there will continue to be tax incentives and benefits from such letting, but they need to be on par with short-term and long-term lets.

We recognise the important role that FHLs play in the tourism ecosystem right across the country. The problem was that there was not a level playing field with long-term lets. We are making sure that there will continue to be tax incentives and benefits from such letting, but they need to be on par with short-term and long-term lets.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of his tax policies on living standards.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of his tax policies on living standards.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of his tax policies on living standards.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of his tax policies on living standards.

Motion that this House has considered the taxation of furnished holiday lettings. Motion lapsed.

Motion that this House has considered the taxation of furnished holiday lettings. Motion lapsed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the model rules for reporting by platform operators with respect to sellers in the sharing and gig economy on (a) costs to HMRC and (b) tax revenues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the model rules for reporting by platform operators with respect to sellers in the sharing and gig economy on (a) costs to HMRC and (b) tax revenues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has received recent projections from the Office for Budget Responsibility on the potential impact of the model rules for reporting by platform operators with respect to sellers in the sharing and gig economy on (a) costs to HMRC and (b) tax...

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has received recent projections from the Office for Budget Responsibility on the potential impact of the model rules for reporting by platform operators with respect to sellers in the sharing and gig economy on (a) costs to HMRC and (b) tax...