Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and Rishi Sunak

Tuesday 1st December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Damian Hinds]

The hon. Lady rightly identifies the importance of continuing in further education and the fact that in the modern economy more and more people will have multiple careers through their lives, which means that the availability of retraining is very important. That is why I welcome the protection of this budget and the availability of loans, for example, for part-time students.

[Rishi Sunak (Richmond (Yorks)) (Con)]

The Government’s economic plan rightly prioritises infrastructure, and I welcome yesterday’s announcement of a new chairman for Transport for the North. Does my hon. Friend agree that continued investment in Yorkshire and the north is vital to rebalancing our national economy?

[Damian Hinds]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Of course, that is at the heart of the enterprise zones in the north, the city deals and the whole concept of the northern powerhouse—making sure that the cities of the north add up to something that is more than the sum of their parts—and Transport for the North, which he mentioned, is a vital part of that.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and Rishi Sunak

Tuesday 16th June 2015 Commons Chamber

[Damian Hinds]

The Prime Minister has made this extremely clear by stating categorically that child benefit stays as is. The most important thing in regard to affordability and household budgets is to increase employment and ensure that people are in good jobs. The Government have also done an awful lot to bear down on household costs to make them more affordable.

[Rishi Sunak (Richmond (Yorks)) (Con)]

Will my hon. Friend tell my constituents what this Government will continue to do to cut the costs of childcare for hard-working families?

[Damian Hinds]

The coalition Government had a very strong record on extending childcare, and we are going to go much further in this Parliament with the extension from 15 to 30 hours of childcare for the three and four-year-old children of working parents, the introduction of tax-free credits and the further extension of childcare provision under universal credit when that migration happens.