Once again, I note that the hon. Gentleman is not prepared to make any commitment, even to any targets. He is not prepared to make a commitment to support cutting child poverty at all. We have continued to make progress in cutting child poverty and will continue to do so....

Once again, I note that the hon. Gentleman is not prepared to make any commitment, even to any targets. He is not prepared to make a commitment to support cutting child poverty at all. We have continued to make progress in cutting child poverty and will continue to do so....

The hon. Gentleman will know that the Chancellor has raised concern previously about differential rates of petrol pricing in different parts of the country and has pressed for further work to be done on ensuring that unfair competition does not lead to some areas paying a higher penalty. The hon....

The hon. Gentleman will know that the Chancellor has raised concern previously about differential rates of petrol pricing in different parts of the country and has pressed for further work to be done on ensuring that unfair competition does not lead to some areas paying a higher penalty. The hon....

I shall give way to the hon. Gentleman if he will tell me whether he is prepared to commit to a target of halving child poverty by 2010 and of ending it altogether by 2020—let him tell us whether he supports that target.

I shall give way to the hon. Gentleman if he will tell me whether he is prepared to commit to a target of halving child poverty by 2010 and of ending it altogether by 2020—let him tell us whether he supports that target.

The purpose of this measure is to encourage taxpayers to come clean, to pay up front and to recognise things that they might have been doing in the past that are wrong. Hon. Members will obviously have the opportunity to discuss the detail throughout the detailed clause debates on the...

The purpose of this measure is to encourage taxpayers to come clean, to pay up front and to recognise things that they might have been doing in the past that are wrong. Hon. Members will obviously have the opportunity to discuss the detail throughout the detailed clause debates on the...

The hon. Gentleman conceded that we have taken action to try to support the North sea oil industry, including promoting the opening of new fields. Obviously, in the light of the credit crunch, every sector makes representations to us about the additional support they require, and we have to judge...

The hon. Gentleman conceded that we have taken action to try to support the North sea oil industry, including promoting the opening of new fields. Obviously, in the light of the credit crunch, every sector makes representations to us about the additional support they require, and we have to judge...

We are, rightly, increasing the tax allowance. That means that individuals will get an extra £145 compared with this time last year. We have also significantly increased tax credits over the years to provide additional support not only for those with children, but for those who are in work but...

We are, rightly, increasing the tax allowance. That means that individuals will get an extra £145 compared with this time last year. We have also significantly increased tax credits over the years to provide additional support not only for those with children, but for those who are in work but...

My hon. Friend is right that that is, indeed, an example of a Conservative Government who are pursuing ways of supporting their economy. It is also a sign of the widespread consensus in favour of such measures that exists around the world; there is a recognition that countries need to...

My hon. Friend is right that that is, indeed, an example of a Conservative Government who are pursuing ways of supporting their economy. It is also a sign of the widespread consensus in favour of such measures that exists around the world; there is a recognition that countries need to...

What a ridiculous question; the hon. Gentleman does not believe in the target in the first place. How dare he come here to start making pompous remarks about whether the target is going to be met and whether we are making commitments towards it. We are determined to keep making...

What a ridiculous question; the hon. Gentleman does not believe in the target in the first place. How dare he come here to start making pompous remarks about whether the target is going to be met and whether we are making commitments towards it. We are determined to keep making...

My hon. Friend makes an important point. We are continuing to make progress towards the 2010 target, and also towards the 2020 target, which we propose to legislate for and therefore embed in law, to support both the long-term commitment and the short-term measures. My hon. Friend will know that...

My hon. Friend makes an important point. We are continuing to make progress towards the 2010 target, and also towards the 2020 target, which we propose to legislate for and therefore embed in law, to support both the long-term commitment and the short-term measures. My hon. Friend will know that...

We have made a judgment about what the right measures are in this case. As the hon. Gentleman knows, there is an issue to do with introducing changes in personal tax allowances. We have introduced a taper so that they are removed gradually in order to avoid too high a...

We have made a judgment about what the right measures are in this case. As the hon. Gentleman knows, there is an issue to do with introducing changes in personal tax allowances. We have introduced a taper so that they are removed gradually in order to avoid too high a...

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. This year's Finance Bill comes as the world economy is shrinking for the first time in peacetime since 1932. It is the first time ever that five of the biggest banks in the world have had to...

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. This year's Finance Bill comes as the world economy is shrinking for the first time in peacetime since 1932. It is the first time ever that five of the biggest banks in the world have had to...

I will give way once more to the hon. Gentleman, but only if he will tell me why he opposes a VAT cut that supports business, about which the chief executive of Tesco said:""The VAT reduction last November was worthwhile. It gave £8-10 billion directly to consumers and as a...

I will give way once more to the hon. Gentleman, but only if he will tell me why he opposes a VAT cut that supports business, about which the chief executive of Tesco said:""The VAT reduction last November was worthwhile. It gave £8-10 billion directly to consumers and as a...

Of course people will have different views about the right date on which to change the rate. We have specified a date to give businesses certainty, so that they can plan. The most important thing that businesses need—[Interruption.]

Of course people will have different views about the right date on which to change the rate. We have specified a date to give businesses certainty, so that they can plan. The most important thing that businesses need—[Interruption.]

The hon. Gentleman should accept that if he wishes to take part in debates in the House, he needs to be able to defend his own views rather than merely asking questions about other people's. That, in the end, is what parliamentary debate is all about. Whatever the date on...

The hon. Gentleman should accept that if he wishes to take part in debates in the House, he needs to be able to defend his own views rather than merely asking questions about other people's. That, in the end, is what parliamentary debate is all about. Whatever the date on...

The hon. Gentleman knows that that is simply not the case. In fact, we are increasing the Scottish Executive's budget by more than £2 billion over the next few years. We expect the Scottish Executive to make efficiency savings in 2010-11. Indeed, if the Scottish Executive set the same efficiency...

The hon. Gentleman knows that that is simply not the case. In fact, we are increasing the Scottish Executive's budget by more than £2 billion over the next few years. We expect the Scottish Executive to make efficiency savings in 2010-11. Indeed, if the Scottish Executive set the same efficiency...

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has said that it will continue to discuss with businesses how to ensure that the change happens smoothly. It is right to ensure that this VAT reduction is only temporary, as it is part of our fiscal stimulus. The hon. Gentleman is wrong to oppose...

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has said that it will continue to discuss with businesses how to ensure that the change happens smoothly. It is right to ensure that this VAT reduction is only temporary, as it is part of our fiscal stimulus. The hon. Gentleman is wrong to oppose...

I said that the fiscal stimulus was supported by countries throughout the world. Let us be clear which countries support a fiscal stimulus: America, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, and all the countries in the G20 are supporting their economies with different kinds of investment. The Conservative party is completely isolated,...

I said that the fiscal stimulus was supported by countries throughout the world. Let us be clear which countries support a fiscal stimulus: America, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, and all the countries in the G20 are supporting their economies with different kinds of investment. The Conservative party is completely isolated,...

My hon. Friend is right. In fact, the contradictions between Conservative Back Benchers and Front Benchers on this issue, and even between its Front Benchers, are legion. Let me explain how other clauses are providing support as part of the fiscal stimulus. Clause 24 doubles tax breaks for business investment....

My hon. Friend is right. In fact, the contradictions between Conservative Back Benchers and Front Benchers on this issue, and even between its Front Benchers, are legion. Let me explain how other clauses are providing support as part of the fiscal stimulus. Clause 24 doubles tax breaks for business investment....

The hon. Gentleman makes an extremely important point. He is right that this started with the global credit crunch and the restrictions on credit for companies across the country. As a result of the additional support we have given, particularly to RBS and the Lloyds group, clear lending agreements are...

The hon. Gentleman makes an extremely important point. He is right that this started with the global credit crunch and the restrictions on credit for companies across the country. As a result of the additional support we have given, particularly to RBS and the Lloyds group, clear lending agreements are...

The hon. Gentleman is right that credit has been constrained across the market. Some intermediary lenders have found it difficult to get finance and therefore to get involved in lending. We think it is important to support lending across the board within a well-regulated framework, which is why we have...

The hon. Gentleman is right that credit has been constrained across the market. Some intermediary lenders have found it difficult to get finance and therefore to get involved in lending. We think it is important to support lending across the board within a well-regulated framework, which is why we have...