"May I start by apologising for my absence during part of the debate? I am pleased to be here now to make a short contribution. I have been following Budgets for decades, because my former occupation was that of an economics teacher and I always liked to use real-world examples …..." Annette Brooke - View Speech
"I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement. Will he comment briefly on its implications for the future funding of our nurseries, our schools and our colleges—something very important to us on the Liberal Democrat side?..." Annette Brooke - View Speech
"The last Government’s lack of action was described as “shabby”, and it would be a tragedy if this Government, having taken that brave decision in 2010, were to be regarded as shabby too, but unfortunately 22% sounds a bit shabby...." Annette Brooke - View Speech
"I thank the Chief Secretary for his answer. Does he agree that the Liberal Democrats have been a driving force in this Government for helping people on low incomes through the increase in personal tax allowance, and that the implementation of the universal free school meals for infant schools this …..." Annette Brooke - View Speech
"I shall aim to achieve a balance between despair and euphoria in my contribution.
There is a great deal to commend in this Budget, against a background of rising employment, falling inflation and rising economic growth, which is now expected to be 2.7% in 2014 according to the Office for …..." Annette Brooke - View Speech
"I agree with many of the points the hon. Lady is making, but I have a concern about putting the onus on to head teachers without very good guidelines. Head teachers would find it difficult with parent against parent, and there would be inconsistencies across areas and across the country, …..." Annette Brooke - View Speech
"I want to draw on the hon. Gentleman’s expertise. I accept that there is supply and demand and that, if we attempt to interfere too much, there will be touting and so on, but does his analysis include the reasons for the steep rises on particular days, which seem to …..." Annette Brooke - View Speech
"The policy is important for a fairer society, and it incentivises work. Does my right hon. Friend share my aspiration to raise the tax threshold to £10,500 and achieve equality up to the age of 74, and, in due course, further increase the threshold for all age groups to incentivise …..." Annette Brooke - View Speech