Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Steve Double Excerpts
Tuesday 19th March 2024

(1 month, 1 week ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nigel Huddleston Portrait Nigel Huddleston
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We are immensely proud of our record since 2010: living standards have increased, and growth is now better than that of many other major economies. Our absolute commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in society was shown recently when we provided an average of £3,400 in cost of living support for each household. We have turned a corner, and the economy is improving. I am just disappointed that the Opposition constantly talk down the UK economy and their constituents.

Steve Double Portrait Steve Double (St Austell and Newquay) (Con)
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Will my hon. Friend confirm that, following the 4p cut in national insurance that the Chancellor has introduced, the tax take on workers will be the lowest it has been for 50 years? In St Austell and Newquay, two people in a household on average incomes will be paying £1,800 less this coming year than they did last year.

Nigel Huddleston Portrait Nigel Huddleston
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Yes, absolutely, my hon. Friend has pointed out an important point on how we have had a laser focus on reducing the personal tax rates. Furthermore, the measures announced in the autumn statement and in the spring Budget will significantly add to economic activity, contributing about 200,000 full-time equivalent jobs to the economy, and I am sure that the whole House will welcome that.