Oral Answers to Questions

Chi Onwurah Excerpts

Tuesday 4th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Dan Tomlinson]

Decisions on tax policy will be made at the Budget.

[Dame Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West) (Lab)]

11. What fiscal steps she is taking to help increase the incomes of working families in Newcastle.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (James Murray)]

I thank my hon. Friend for her question; I know she is a tireless champion for working families in Newcastle. We know that for too long, people have felt that they are putting too much in and not getting enough back. That is why this Government have increased the national living wage by £1,400 this year for full-time workers, putting more money directly into the pockets of around 3 million working people. The north east combined authority investment zone will benefit from £160 million of investment to deliver £2 billion in private sector investment and 4,000 jobs.

[Dame Chi Onwurah]

Under 14 years of Tory misrule, workers in the north-east saw their average annual earnings fall, causing a cost of living crisis for families across the region. We have fantastic, passionate and productive workers. Will the Minister promise to continue to turn back on Tory failure by investing in the industry of the north-east to deliver high-wage, high-quality jobs as part of a Budget for working people?

[James Murray]

My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the Conservatives’ record in office, and she is right that in her constituency there are fantastic, passionate and productive workers who need a Government—which they now have—who will invest in good jobs and skills, and who will put workers’ rights on a better footing than they were when we took over from the previous Government. At the Budget, the Chancellor will be led by the Government’s commitment to fairness, and she will be focused on protecting our NHS, reducing the national debt and improving the cost of living.