Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Lloyd Hatton Excerpts
Tuesday 10th March 2026

(1 day, 8 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rachel Reeves Portrait Rachel Reeves
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Alongside the Budget last year, we published the new North sea oil and gas strategy, which, for example, allows tie-backs, so that more use can be made of existing fields. The previous Government brought in the energy profits levy when energy companies’ profits went through the roof after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That is still in place, so that when prices are high, we can bring money in to help people with their bills.

Lloyd Hatton Portrait Lloyd Hatton (South Dorset) (Lab)
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I welcome the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s work to get the Leonardo helicopters contract over the line, as that will help protect defence jobs right across Dorset, Somerset and the wider south-west. Will the Treasury and Ministers continue to work with the Ministry of Defence to secure investment in the defence sector in Dorset and across the west country?

Rachel Reeves Portrait Rachel Reeves
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I thank my hon. Friend for what he said about the Leonardo contract at Yeovil, which supports many thousands of jobs in Somerset, and indeed Dorset. I am proud to be the Chancellor who has overseen the biggest uplift in defence spending since the end of the cold war; that has enabled us to support this investment and many others.