Trade Union Bill

Debate between Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town and Lord Beecham

Tuesday 23rd February 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town]

As I hear from behind me, who says they are improvements? The point is that for local government, as the Minister says, the statistics are already there, and it has not led to a levelling up, levelling down or averaging out. So it is not just about transparency—it is clearly about moderating.

[Lord Beecham]

Would not my noble friend agree that the answer to her question is really that this clause paves the way for Clause 13, with the reserve powers to the Secretary of State to limit paid time off? Is not that what this is about?

Welfare Reform Bill

Debate between Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town and Lord Beecham

Thursday 3rd November 2011 Grand Committee

[Lord Beecham]

My Lords, may I ask what I hope is a final question? The Minister rightly referred to the fact that there would be no income tax income to the Treasury to offset the cost. However, has the Minister considered the likelihood of much of the income of a second earner being spent in a way which would incur VAT? Is that not a material consideration in terms of what would be offset against the cost?

[Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town]

Before the Minister stands up, as I think he might like to get everything together, there were two questions posed that he did not respond to. One was whether he had had discussions with BIS. I had also given him the opportunity to refute the story in the Financial Times. I hope he might use this moment to do that.