Tax: Changes

Lord Wallace of Saltaire Excerpts

Tuesday 29th April 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD)]

My Lords, do the Government remember the distinction made by the previous Conservative Government between people who were from somewhere and people who might be from anywhere? It was made with the clear intention of saying that people who liked going abroad were somehow not fully loyal to England; they were more European or something else. Given that distinction, which the previous Conservative Government and their Prime Minister made, is it not now a little hypocritical to say we need to defend those who might easily move away to Dubai, Thailand or Monaco, rather than the interests of people who are committed to this country?

[Lord Livermore (Lab)]

I remember the “citizens of nowhere” comment that the noble Lord refers to. I think that, like much of what the previous Government did, it was not an encouraging thing to say. But let us remember that it is not for me to justify what the previous Government did. This Government are committed to addressing unfairness in the tax system so that everyone who makes their home in the UK pays their taxes here. I think that is absolutely the right principle from which we should proceed. Both the previous Government and this Government increased taxes on non-doms because it is necessary to raise revenue to repair the public finances and fund our public services. That is the fairest way of raising the necessary revenue while ensuring the UK remains an attractive place to live and invest.