Asked by: Imran Hussain (Labour - Bradford East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it is his Department's intention to publish fiscal plans and economic forecasts on 31 October 2022.
Answered by Edward Argar
The government will publish the Medium-Term Fiscal Plan on 31 October, accompanied by an independent Office for Budget Responsibility economic and fiscal forecast.
The Fiscal Plan will set out the government’s responsible fiscal approach fully, including how it will reduce debt as a percentage of GDP over the medium term.
Asked by: Imran Hussain (Labour - Bradford East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he had discussions with the Prime Minister on the pensions triple lock prior to 19 October 2022.
Answered by Edward Argar
The Chancellor meets regularly with the Prime Minister. The Government remains committed to the Triple Lock for this Parliament.
Asked by: Imran Hussain (Labour - Bradford East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he will appoint representatives of trade unions to the Economic Advisory Council.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
On 17th October, the Chancellor announced that he would establish an Economic Advisory Council. This will act as a consultative forum for the government to be advised on UK and international economics and financial markets. The Council will consist of leading and respected economists.
The Chancellor has announced the initial members to form the council, with further members to be added in due course. All members have been chosen for their personal knowledge and expertise, as relevant to advising the government on the UK economy. Members can be added or removed at the Chancellor’s discretion.
The Council members, alongside the role and purpose of the Council, will be reviewed after six months.
Asked by: Imran Hussain (Labour - Bradford East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the correspondence from the Chair of Northern Powerhouse Rail to the Prime Minister of 7 September 2022, if he will make it his policy to provide £43 billion of funding for the construction of Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Answered by Edward Argar
The Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) for the North and the Midlands sets out a £96 billion package to overhaul and modernise rail connections across the North and Midlands over the next 30 years.
As set out in the IRP, the Government will deliver our core commitments first. This includes the first phase of Northern Powerhouse Rail, which will improve journeys from Manchester to Leeds, and from Leeds onto Bradford and York. We will keep options to expand the network under consideration, looking at the delivery of our core commitments, and depending on how demand and economic growth recover.
Asked by: Imran Hussain (Labour - Bradford East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on when the Government will set out a timetable for the (a) funding and (b) construction of Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Answered by Edward Argar
The Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) for the North and the Midlands sets out a £96 billion package to overhaul and modernise rail connections across the North and Midlands over the next 30 years.
As set out in the IRP, the Government will deliver our core commitments first. This includes the first phase of Northern Powerhouse Rail, which will improve journeys from Manchester to Leeds, and from Leeds onto Bradford and York. We will keep options to expand the network under consideration, looking at the delivery of our core commitments, and depending on how demand and economic growth recover.