How can the Budget be a simplifying measure if it drives so many more people into the tax credit system, which everyone agrees is complicated?

How can the Budget be a simplifying measure if it drives so many more people into the tax credit system, which everyone agrees is complicated?

Does my hon. Friend agree that the hit on small companies in the form of increased taxes in a more complex system could constitute a real blow to local shops, which are already struggling to be viable in a climate of intense competition from the big retailers?

Does my hon. Friend agree that the hit on small companies in the form of increased taxes in a more complex system could constitute a real blow to local shops, which are already struggling to be viable in a climate of intense competition from the big retailers?

It gives me great pleasure to sum up the debate this evening. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and my hon. Friend the Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Prisk) began the debate robustly, as one would expect. My hon. Friend spoke about competitiveness and the Budget’s impact...

It gives me great pleasure to sum up the debate this evening. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and my hon. Friend the Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Prisk) began the debate robustly, as one would expect. My hon. Friend spoke about competitiveness and the Budget’s impact...

Will the Chief Secretary confirm that a single person without children who earns less than £18,000 a year will be worse off as a result of the Budget?

Will the Chief Secretary confirm that a single person without children who earns less than £18,000 a year will be worse off as a result of the Budget?

We will certainly match the announcement on education. As for the rest, we want to wait for your comprehensive spending review. You must produce the CSR, and we will produce—[Interruption.] I apologise, Mr. Deputy Speaker. When the Chief Secretary produces the CSR, we will produce our spending plans. This Budget...

We will certainly match the announcement on education. As for the rest, we want to wait for your comprehensive spending review. You must produce the CSR, and we will produce—[Interruption.] I apologise, Mr. Deputy Speaker. When the Chief Secretary produces the CSR, we will produce our spending plans. This Budget...

Budget debate (fourth day): industry and business. Motion on amendment of the law agreed on question. Motions to approve ways and means resolutions. Resolved. Motion on corporation tax (charge and main rates) resolved. Motion on corporation tax (small companies) agreed on division (295 to 232). Motion on rates of air passenger duty agreed on division (296 to 84). Motion on interpretation of Chapter agreed on division (293 to 234). Motion on life assurance premium contributions agreed on division (292 to 232).

Budget debate (fourth day): industry and business. Motion on amendment of the law agreed on question. Motions to approve ways and means resolutions. Resolved. Motion on corporation tax (charge and main rates) resolved. Motion on corporation tax (small companies) agreed on division (295 to 232). Motion on rates of air...

We are lagging. We are 22nd out of 27 members of the EU in terms of growth, and unemployment grew more quickly in this country last year than anywhere else in the developed world. Truancy is at record levels. Those children have spent almost their whole education under a Labour...

We are lagging. We are 22nd out of 27 members of the EU in terms of growth, and unemployment grew more quickly in this country last year than anywhere else in the developed world. Truancy is at record levels. Those children have spent almost their whole education under a Labour...

Is my hon. Friend concerned that some of the Gershon programmes have impacted negatively on service quality? In particular, I am thinking of his Committee’s report on the number of calls that went unanswered at the Department for Work and Pensions following the switch to call centres as part of...

Is my hon. Friend concerned that some of the Gershon programmes have impacted negatively on service quality? In particular, I am thinking of his Committee’s report on the number of calls that went unanswered at the Department for Work and Pensions following the switch to call centres as part of...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for being generous in giving way to me, having given way to so many hon. Members. Does he agree that setting clear targets for increased take-up of micro-generation will create the conditions in which a market can develop in that technology? Hopefully, that will bring...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for being generous in giving way to me, having given way to so many hon. Members. Does he agree that setting clear targets for increased take-up of micro-generation will create the conditions in which a market can develop in that technology? Hopefully, that will bring...