Oral Answers to Questions

Simon Burns Excerpts

Tuesday 21st July 2015 Commons Chamber

The Chancellor of the Exchequer was asked—

[Sir Simon Burns (Chelmsford) (Con)]

1. What progress he has made on his long-term economic plan.

[The First Secretary of State and Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne)]

The long-term economic plan is working, but when it comes to building a Britain that lives within its means, we now need to finish the job. Today I am launching the spending review, which will support our priorities such as the national health service and national security. Savings will have to be made in other areas, but we have shown that, with careful management of public money, we can get more for less, and give working people real control over the decisions that affect them and their communities. The spending review will deliver better government and economic security, and the results will be announced to the House on 25 November.

[Sir Simon Burns]

The summer Budget took clear steps towards the delivery of a higher-wage, lower-tax, lower-benefits society, with the new national living wage as the centrepiece. Does that not clearly demonstrate that the Conservatives are the natural party for hard-working people and their families?

[Mr Osborne]

My right hon. right Friend is absolutely right. We are building the higher-wage, lower-tax, lower-welfare economy that our country needs if it is to compete in the future and give real opportunities to working people. The new contract that we offer is this: businesses will pay higher wages and pay lower taxes and people will receive bigger pay cheques, but there will be lower welfare. That, I think, is a contract that the British people support.