Draft Sovereign Grant Act 2011 (Change of Percentage) Order 2017

Debate between Simon Kirby and Tommy Sheppard

Thursday 2nd March 2017 General Committees

[Tommy Sheppard]

I understand and accept the popularity of Buckingham Palace as a tourist attraction, and as a visitor attraction for people who live in this country. Would it not therefore be reasonable to consider whether the commercial dimension of Buckingham Palace as a venue and an attraction might provide an income stream to fund ongoing capital works to maintain its current quality?

[Simon Kirby]

The hon. Gentleman raises an interesting point. That is exactly what we are deciding today. There will be 115,000 more visitors each year, because there will be increased access. Some 30,000 more children will be able to visit the palace—only 1,500 can currently do so. There will be an additional 110 events every year. This is a long-term solution. The hon. Member for Bootle was right to say that previous Governments of all colours should perhaps have considered this more carefully, but we are where we are and this is a sensible way forward.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Simon Kirby and Tommy Sheppard

Tuesday 28th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Simon Kirby]

I can reassure my hon. Friend that the Treasury is very much in listening mode. We definitely want the best possible deal and we are clear that it is the end result, rather than the mechanism, that is important.

[Tommy Sheppard (Edinburgh East) (SNP)]

17. Whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect of the depreciation of the pound on levels of disposable income.

[The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Simon Kirby)]

I am pleased to say that the Government are taking action to support the level of real disposable income per head, which is forecast to be 2.8% higher by 2021 than it was in 2016.

[Tommy Sheppard]

There can be few things more tragic than a Treasury in denial. As sure as night follows day, the collapse of the pound will lead to higher prices, particularly for food and household technology, so when will the Minister’s Department get its head out of the sand and bring forward proposals to boost disposable income, to help people to meet these rising costs?

[Simon Kirby]

Average earnings growth has now outstripped inflation for 27 consecutive months, and the Office for Budget Responsibility has forecast that real disposable income will be 2.8% higher in 2021 than it was in 2016.