Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Anneliese Dodds Excerpts
Tuesday 21st May 2019

(4 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call Anneliese Dodds. [Interruption.] No? I had the distinct impression that the hon. Lady wished to come in on this question, but it is not obligatory.

Anneliese Dodds Portrait Anneliese Dodds (Oxford East) (Lab/Co-op)
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On the next one I believe, Mr Speaker; I am terribly sorry.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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On Mr Brake’s question—oh, very well. We do not want unwelcome contributors. The hon. Lady can choose her own destiny, and we are grateful to her.

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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Anneliese Dodds.

Anneliese Dodds Portrait Anneliese Dodds (Oxford East) (Lab/Co-op)
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Thank you, Mr Speaker; take two. The Environment Secretary said to Extinction Rebellion that he, at least, had got the message, but of course days later his Government were panned by the Solar Trade Association for new tax changes that will affect solar and storage schemes. That contrasts with Labour’s announcement last week of plans for 1.75 million households to benefit from the solar energy revolution. So will this Government abandon the damaging changes to VAT, match Labour’s solar investment plans and actually start taking renewables seriously?

Elizabeth Truss Portrait Elizabeth Truss
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As I said, we have an exemplary record in terms of our reduction of carbon. We are the top performer in the G7. It would be good to hear Opposition Members acknowledge the massive progress that we have made. The fact is that we are going to make more progress not by supporting a bunch of anti-capitalists that glue themselves to public transport, but by using market mechanisms instead, helping the economy grow. That is the way we improve the environment.