Oral Answers to Questions

Alister Jack Excerpts

Tuesday 17th April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

It is extremely worrying that those on the Opposition Benches would rather see young people out of work and without opportunities than in work, learning and getting the skills for their future. All the evidence shows that if we set the rate too high we see youth unemployment, which is exactly what happened under the previous Labour Government.

[Mr Alister Jack (Dumfries and Galloway) (Con)]

9. What assessment he has made of the effect of the recent reduction in corporation tax on employment and wages.

[The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mel Stride)]

There can be no doubt that this Government’s record on reducing corporation tax from 28% in 2010 to 19% now, and further on down to 17% in 2020, has driven growth, kept prices down, pushed wages up and, indeed, led to more employment. Since 2010, we have seen more than 3 million more people in employment, and, as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has just outlined, the lowest unemployment since 1975.

[Mr Jack]

Successful businesses create jobs and pay taxes. What steps are the Government taking to back businesses that play by the rules?

[Mel Stride]

My hon. Friend uses the expression “play by the rules”. I should make it very clear to the House that those that do not play by the rules will be clamped down on by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. We have brought in £175 billion in respect of clamping down on avoidance, evasion and non-compliance since 2010. We have, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor has outlined, the lowest tax gap in our history, at 6%. Those who play by the rules will benefit from our pro-business policies: bringing taxes down, providing relief on business rates, and other measures such as the employment allowance, worth £3,000 for the first employee as a relief on national insurance contributions.