NHS Pensions: Taxation

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Philip Hollobone

Monday 8th July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

I would be interested to hear precisely what the hon. Lady is suggesting the Treasury does. The Treasury has to look at the pension tax system for all professions and occupations, and it is right that the Health Secretary speaks specifically to those operating in the medical sphere and the Treasury looks at the broad overview.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

For the first time, I find myself in agreement with the contributions from the Front Benchers from the Opposition and the Scottish National party. This problem has been coming down the track for at least three years and nothing has been done to stop it. The last thing the NHS needs is senior doctors refusing to work overtime at the weekends and our waiting lists getting worse, not better. The Chief Secretary has bravely come out to bat for the Treasury today, but we must avoid this silo mentality between the Treasury and the Department of Health and Social Care. This is a problem for the whole of the Government, and she and the Health Secretary need to get it sorted out urgently.

[Elizabeth Truss]

We are working closely with the Health Secretary on this issue, and that is the right way to do things; it is right for the Health Secretary to deal with organisations such as the BMA and it is right for the Treasury to look at the overview. The Chancellor has looked at this over the past three years, and I am sure the representations my hon. Friend has made today will be taken very seriously by him.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Philip Hollobone

Tuesday 2nd July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

I do not agree with the hon. Lady’s analysis. The fact is that income inequality is lower now than it was in 2010 and absolute poverty after housing costs is at a historic low for children.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

Can the Chief Secretary confirm that the number of children living in workless households is now the lowest ever record achieved in our country?

[Elizabeth Truss]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is because of our welfare reforms and economic policy that more people are now in work and are benefiting from our cuts to basic rate tax, giving working families £1,200 a year extra in their pay packets.

ONS Decisions: Student Loans

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Philip Hollobone

Tuesday 18th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

There is extremely strong evidence that going to university increases people’s earning power, and there is some very helpful new data—the longitudinal education outcomes data—that shows people how much they can expect to earn by studying particular courses.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

What proportion of students are not liable for student loan repayments because they do not meet the income threshold?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I think that is probably something my hon. Friend should take up with the Department for Education.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Philip Hollobone

Tuesday 3rd July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

As I said, we have moved from a situation in which local councils were majority funded by central Government to one where local councils are accountable for the money they spend and raise locally. We have given councils the extra ability to raise funds. I note that many councils have reinvented themselves, are doing things differently and are saving money, and public satisfaction with local services has held up.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

I declare my interest as a member of Kettering Borough Council.

By when do the Government expect to publish the conclusions to their fair funding review of local government?

[Elizabeth Truss]

We are currently considering those responses carefully, and we will publish them shortly.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Philip Hollobone

Tuesday 27th February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

We have put additional funding into social care, and we have also allowed councils to raise the precept, but it is a very important principle that local councils are accountable to local voters for the money they spend. The situation we inherited in 2010, when 80% of the money came from the Government, meant we could have profligate local councils and local taxpayers would not have to foot the bill.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

This week, having faced the same central Government cuts as everyone else, Conservative-controlled Kettering Borough Council, of which I am a member, can be expected to freeze its council tax for the eighth year in a row. Does it therefore appear that some councils are better at managing their affairs than others?

[Elizabeth Truss]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I note that council tax doubled under the previous Labour Government, and we are hearing talk from the Opposition that there might be another rise if they were to get into government again.

Exiting the EU: Costs

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Philip Hollobone

Wednesday 29th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

We are making continuous progress in our negotiations with the EU. Of course, in any negotiation there has to be give and take from both sides. That is exactly what is happening. However, it would be wrong to expose the details of the negotiations at this stage.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

In any divorce, the assets are divided. Given that in today’s money—in real terms—our net contribution to the EU over the lifetime of our membership amounts to £209 billion, will my right hon. Friend make sure that we get our fair share of the EU’s assets when we leave?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I assure my hon. Friend that that consideration is part of our discussions.