Budget: Press Briefings Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Budget: Press Briefings

Lord Bridges of Headley Excerpts
Tuesday 18th November 2025

(1 week, 6 days ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Livermore Portrait Lord Livermore (Lab)
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My noble friend is absolutely right to say that there is always speculation ahead of a Budget. As he knows, I am not going to comment on the bond markets, but he is right to point out that the Liz Truss mini-Budget crashed the economy and sent interest rates soaring.

Lord Bridges of Headley Portrait Lord Bridges of Headley (Con)
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My Lords, on 10 November, the Chancellor said on BBC Radio:

“It would, of course, be possible to stick with the manifesto commitments, but that would require things like deep cuts in capital spending”.


Does that statement still stand?

Lord Livermore Portrait Lord Livermore (Lab)
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As I have said, I am being told by noble Lords opposite that speculation is wrong and now the noble Lord is asking me to speculate. As I have made very clear, I will not be commenting on individual tax measures.