Spring Forecast Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Spring Forecast

Amanda Martin Excerpts
Tuesday 3rd March 2026

(1 day, 9 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rachel Reeves Portrait Rachel Reeves
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As I said after last year’s Budget, if a person just gets the basic state pension, they will not be paying tax. We will set out more details in the coming months.

Amanda Martin Portrait Amanda Martin (Portsmouth North) (Lab)
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In Portsmouth North, we inherited a new reality from the previous Government. People felt that new reality in the form of a closed shipyard, stretched households and Tory food banks that kept popping up everywhere. People were struggling with higher mortgages, high street shops and pubs were closing, and there were cuts to education, SEND and apprenticeships. I know that many are desperate for rapid change, but I hope they can see from our statement today that we are on the right track, with retail sales and wages rising, six interest rate cuts, defence investment backing jobs in my city, and a renewed focus on SEND, education and apprenticeships. Does the Chancellor agree that in coastal communities like Portsmouth, stability and long-term investment, not cuts, are how we build household confidence, put more money in people’s pockets and secure a future for my residents?

None Portrait Several hon. Members rose—
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