Autumn Statement Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Autumn Statement

Jonathan Ashworth Excerpts
Tuesday 29th November 2011

(12 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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We look forward to hearing about the dates for the diggers, as I am sure do the people of Kettering.

Jonathan Ashworth Portrait Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) (Lab)
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May I push the Chancellor a little further on borrowing, because so far in the exchanges he has not quite brought himself to admit that he is going to be borrowing £158 billion more than he planned to borrow a year ago? Will he confirm that that is the case—yes or no?

George Osborne Portrait Mr Osborne
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I set out the borrowing figures to Parliament and what the hon. Gentleman should admit is that the plan he is pursuing would add to the borrowing. We cannot borrow our way out of a debt crisis, and as long as the Labour party goes on advocating that approach, I suspect that its credibility will fall and fall.