"My Lords, I congratulate the Treasury on this plan, which is well thought through. If the economy is going to grow, we have to ensure that public investment grows faster than public consumption. That is reflected in the Government’s plans. But, like my noble friend Lord Birt, I worked for …..." Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court - View Speech
"My Lords, as the Minister knows, I did not welcome this decision. Turning to principles, does he agree that cliff edges in the tax and benefits system are undesirable? Can he explain whether, when a pensioner’s income moves from £34,999 to £35,000, support will be tapered away, or whether £1 …..." Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court - View Speech
"My Lords, as one of the few supporters of the original measure—like my friend, the noble Lord, Lord Clarke—I feel the Minister’s pain. But when the Treasury has to retreat, it is best to concede more rather than less; in that respect only, I congratulate the Minister on the proposal. …..." Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court - View Speech
"My Lords, I welcome the Government’s announcements in relation to regional growth. As the sometime author of the Green Book, I welcome the direction of travel in terms of investment appraisal. However, inevitably, resources are finite. Can the Financial Secretary confirm that the Government are prioritising those projects with the …..." Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court - View Speech
"My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Bridges, and his committee on their timely and well-argued report. I agree with pretty much all of it. The fact is that Britain’s national debt has more than doubled as a percentage of national income in 20 years and we have nothing …..." Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court - View Speech
"My Lords, do the Government agree that in recent years private sector steel producers have effectively had the Government over a barrel in negotiations? Will they commit to protecting taxpayers’ interests alongside the jobs of those working in the steel industry?..." Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court - View Speech
"My Lords, does the Financial Secretary agree that, generally, the quality of PFI projects has improved over time, with an increasing number transferring risk successfully to the private sector and the projects being delivered on budget and on time? Given that the ONS now classifies pretty much all PFI projects …..." Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court - View Speech
"My Lords, does the Minister agree that tariffs harm consumers and encourage industrial inefficiency? Does she agree that the British economy was at its most successful when it was pursuing a policy of unilateral free trade in the 19th century?..." Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court - View Speech
"I support the comments from my noble friend Lord Hogan-Howe: I think that it is an important principle that Budgets should be determined by the House of Commons. Those who argue for exemptions should be obliged to explain how they will pay for the tax cuts in those exemptions. If …..." Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court - View Speech