John Slinger
Main Page: John Slinger (Labour - Rugby)Department Debates - View all John Slinger's debates with the HM Treasury
(3 days, 11 hours ago)
Commons ChamberWe finally have a Labour Government here and in Wales to work together for the people of Clwyd North and across Wales to make those investments, including the significant investments in transport that we have announced today. I pay tribute to all the Welsh Labour MPs who have lobbied me so extensively to get this investment into Welsh rail. I was left with no doubt about what the priority is for the people of Wales: transport investment and investment into coal tip safety. I am pleased to have been able to set that out in the spending review.
In the age of anger that our opponents seek to exploit, we need a responsibility revolution. This Government have taken on that responsibility by taking tough decisions to stabilise the economy and carry out long-term reforms. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is her responsible approach, not cakeism 2.0, Trussonomics or Reform’s fantasy economics, that enables today’s welcome investment? The investment will benefit my constituents—in healthcare, the green transition, and the defence investment that will help GE Vernova employ hundreds more people in my constituency.
We had to make difficult decisions last year to put the public finances on a firm footing after the appalling economic management of the Conservatives sent interest rates soaring and put pensions in peril—something that was welcomed by the current shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the hon. Member for North Bedfordshire (Richard Fuller), and that is why he has the word “shadow” at the front of his title. Economic responsibility is essential. I set out the envelope for public spending in the Budget last year, and we have allocated that money today—not a penny more, not a penny less.