Changes to the Budget

Debate between Harriett Baldwin and David Gauke

Monday 11th June 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

Given that the policy does not come into effect until 1 October, we do not think any damage will have been done through the policy. We think that addressing the anomalies is the right thing to do, and we have taken the opportunity to improve the policy we initially announced.

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

Evidently, the most urgent question relating to the Budget changes are those to VAT on static caravans and hot pastries, while across the channel we literally have financial Armageddon happening. What would the Minister contrast between the management of this country’s finances and the management of those of Europe?

[Mr Gauke]

This Government are determined to focus on the big issues we face. As a Government, we are showing determination to ensure that the UK remains in a safe place.

Budget Leak Inquiry

Debate between Harriett Baldwin and David Gauke

Thursday 22nd March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

I understand concerns about there being a debate before the Budget, but now Opposition Members do not seem to want a debate on Government measures after the Budget. I think we should have that debate.

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

Given that the centrepiece of the Chancellor’s Budget yesterday was an increase in the personal tax allowance that gives a tax break to 24 million people on low and middle incomes, and given that that was in the coalition agreement, does the Minister agree that a journalist would not need to be Sherlock Holmes to speculate that that increase would be in the Budget?

PAYE Contributions

Debate between Harriett Baldwin and David Gauke

Wednesday 8th September 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

I am grateful for that question. It is absolutely right, particularly where those larger sums are involved, that HMRC deals with people sympathetically, and in order for it to do so there needs to be proper communication. That is a challenge for HMRC, but it is absolutely right that it focuses its resources on this matter.

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

A couple of years ago, HMRC lost my personal information and that of 25 million other people on the child benefit disc, and in my constituency surgeries each week, HMRC problems consistently generate the most casework. In opening the boot—or the bonnet—of the car that is the computer system at HMRC, what other problems is the new mechanic going to find?

[Mr Gauke]

HMRC has faced many problems and challenges over recent years: a merger, coping with a complicated tax credits system, and a number of other issues. We need to be realistic about what can be done with our tax system—tax simplification is indeed important—and allow HMRC to focus on its key concerns and do the very important job that it has to do.

Office of Tax Simplification

Debate between Harriett Baldwin and David Gauke

Tuesday 20th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

The appointees will not be paid. If they incur proper expenses, they will be reimbursed, as is only reasonable—[Interruption.] I would have thought all Members of the House would appreciate that. Ultimately, the appointments will be in accordance with the relevant provisions, but we believed it important to set the OTS up quickly. We have done that, and with two excellent individuals.

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

If those two excellent individuals are to work for an initial period of 12 months, will that be enough time for them to read the 11,000 pages of tax code applied by the previous Government?