My Lords, I was somewhat taken aback by the Minister’s opening statement. I of course recognise that the process we are involved in is a largely technical one with a very short duration so far as the United Kingdom is concerned when we leave the European Union, but the Minister...

My Lords, I was somewhat taken aback by the Minister’s opening statement. I of course recognise that the process we are involved in is a largely technical one with a very short duration so far as the United Kingdom is concerned when we leave the European Union, but the Minister...

Lords motion to approve, for the purposes of section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993, the Government's assessment of the medium term economic and fiscal position as set out in the latest Budget document and the Office for Budget Responsibility's most recent Economic and Fiscal Outlook and Fiscal Sustainability Report, which forms the basis of the United Kingdom's Convergence Programme. Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to approve, for the purposes of section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993, the Government's assessment of the medium term economic and fiscal position as set out in the latest Budget document and the Office for Budget Responsibility's most recent Economic and Fiscal Outlook and Fiscal...

My Lords, I join colleagues in congratulating the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, both on securing the debate and on producing such a challenging and feisty speech to open it. I had worried that we might be revolving around some narrow technicalities with regard to the exchange rate, but she set...

My Lords, I join colleagues in congratulating the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, both on securing the debate and on producing such a challenging and feisty speech to open it. I had worried that we might be revolving around some narrow technicalities with regard to the exchange rate, but she set...

My Lords, the Minister might try to wear his rose-tinted spectacles, but he knows the facts. He knows that ordinary working people on average have lost £1,600 a year since this Government came into office. He knows that families, through the Government’s tax and benefit changes, have lost £891 pounds a year and he knows from the most recent statistics that zero-hours contracts have

increased threefold since this Government came into office. By heavens, they have a lot to do to make up for those deficits.

My Lords, the Minister might try to wear his rose-tinted spectacles, but he knows the facts. He knows that ordinary working people on average have lost £1,600 a year since this Government came into office. He knows that families, through the Government’s tax and benefit changes, have lost £891 pounds a year and he knows from the most recent statistics that zero-hours contracts have

increased threefold since this Government came into office. By heavens, they have a lot to do to make up for those deficits.

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Saatchi, on introducing this Bill, which gives us a chance to consider an important aspect of the British economy. He will have noted that we had five hours of general debate yesterday, in which he was unfortunately unable to participate. We would...

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Saatchi, on introducing this Bill, which gives us a chance to consider an important aspect of the British economy. He will have noted that we had five hours of general debate yesterday, in which he was unfortunately unable to participate. We would...

Bank of England (Amendment) Bill (HL). Lords second reading debate. Agreed to on question and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

Bank of England (Amendment) Bill (HL). Lords second reading debate. Agreed to on question and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

How they intend to ensure that low earners such as municipal refuse collectors do not, during the current economic circumstances, have imposed on them low percentage wage settlements in contrast to bonus-earning and high-salaried surgeons.

How they intend to ensure that low earners such as municipal refuse collectors do not, during the current economic circumstances, have imposed on them low percentage wage settlements in contrast to bonus-earning and high-salaried surgeons.

Whether they forecast that inflation will stay below 5 per cent over the next year.

Whether they forecast that inflation will stay below 5 per cent over the next year.

rose to move, That the draft regulations laid before the House on 6 February be approved. The noble Lord said: My Lords, I shall speak to the three orders this afternoon as well. Tax credits, together with child benefit, deliver financial support to the vast majority of families with children...

rose to move, That the draft regulations laid before the House on 6 February be approved. The noble Lord said: My Lords, I shall speak to the three orders this afternoon as well. Tax credits, together with child benefit, deliver financial support to the vast majority of families with children...

My Lords, I cannot be so peremptory as to suggest what will happen in the next few weeks, but the noble Lord will recognise that the Government look carefully at fuel costs for families. Certainly, if poor families were subject to very exceptional burdens we might address that issue. I...

My Lords, I cannot be so peremptory as to suggest what will happen in the next few weeks, but the noble Lord will recognise that the Government look carefully at fuel costs for families. Certainly, if poor families were subject to very exceptional burdens we might address that issue. I...

My Lords, we are mindful as a Government that there are needs as regards the winter fuel allowance and that is why we distribute it to individuals. I hear what the noble Baroness says, but I was seeking to make the general point that, of course, we recognise that in...

My Lords, we are mindful as a Government that there are needs as regards the winter fuel allowance and that is why we distribute it to individuals. I hear what the noble Baroness says, but I was seeking to make the general point that, of course, we recognise that in...