European Union (Withdrawal) Act

Debate between Lord Hammond of Runnymede and David Evennett

Thursday 6th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hammond]

I completely agree with my hon. Friend. That is the central theme of what I will say to the House today. Yes, leaving the European Union has a cost, but going back on the decision of the British people would also have an enormous cost for our country.

[Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that uncertainty is bad for our economy and very bad for businesses?

[Mr Hammond]

Yes, and we are already paying a price, and have paid a price, for the uncertainty on our future trading relationship with the European Union. The sooner we can restore certainty, the sooner we can get back on to a path of solid economic growth.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Hammond of Runnymede and David Evennett

Tuesday 3rd July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hammond]

The hon. Lady is right on both counts. Self-employment is an important contributor to our economy and genuine self-employment is very much to be encouraged, but there is a problem of bogus self-employment. People who are essentially employed are not paying the proper taxes and operating according to the proper rules for people who are employed, and in some cases employers are concealing the employment of people for their own selfish reasons. We need to deal with both those counts.

[Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

16. Given that we are a Government and a party that strongly supports business and entrepreneurs, what estimate has my right hon. Friend made of business investment in the UK during the last eight years?

[Mr Hammond]

Business investment in the UK over the last eight years has recovered significantly since the financial crisis, but right now, as my right hon. Friend knows, there is a degree of uncertainty. We need to get through this period of uncertainty in order to see a continuing commitment by business to invest in the UK economy, and that is what the Government are committed to doing.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Hammond of Runnymede and David Evennett

Monday 16th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hammond]

I am very happy to double-check and write to the hon. Gentleman, but I believe that the position is that we have two MOD personnel on secondment in Libya. [Interruption.] The Minister for the Armed Forces is confirming that.

[Mr David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

T8. Will the Secretary of State join me in paying tribute to our armed forces, who do such a tremendous job? Does he believe that their professionalism will be an asset at the Olympic games?

[Mr Hammond]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Contrary to a lot of the noises off that we have been hearing, most people visiting the Olympic games and most people living in London will be hugely reassured by the presence of our armed forces. They bring resilience and reliability to the security arrangements. When a soldier is scheduled to be at place A at time B, you can bet your bottom dollar that he will be there.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Hammond of Runnymede and David Evennett

Thursday 22nd July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hammond]

I am grateful for the hon. Lady’s support for the review and the work that Sir Roy McNulty is doing, and I am glad that she recognises the urgency of ensuring that our railway is affordable and sustainable, so that it can attract the investment that it needs. I agree with her that we need a sustainable railway with growing passenger numbers and growing freight usage.

[Mr David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

Would my right hon. Friend agree that we want a sector that not only is financially sound, but delivers a better quality of service for passengers?

[Mr Hammond]

My hon. Friend is, once again, absolutely right. The objective must be to have a railway that is responsive to the needs of its customers, generating viability by responding to those needs—in fact, a railway that does what businesses throughout the economy do if they are to be successful and sustainable.