Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Antonia Bance and Dan Tomlinson

Tuesday 28th April 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Dan Tomlinson)]

On business rates, the hon. Member will know that this Government inherited the plans that were set in train for an independent revaluation of properties to take place for the first time since the pandemic. It would not have been the right thing to do to delay that independent revaluation for those businesses who have seen their rates fall since the pandemic, so we went ahead with it, and we then put in £4.3 billion of support to limit the increases in bills that businesses would pay. Of course we keep all taxes under review, but we have for the first time put in a differential within the business rates system so that high street businesses face a lower tax rate—a lower multiplier—than the largest online giants.

[Antonia Bance (Tipton and Wednesbury) (Lab)]

T4. We now know what was going on in the economy before the attack on Iran. Growth was up. Unemployment was down. Borrowing was lower than forecast. The Chancellor took the right decisions and it was working. Does my right hon. Friend agree that families and businesses should know that, when times are tough, it is Trumpflation that is to blame?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Antonia Bance and Dan Tomlinson

Tuesday 10th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dan Tomlinson]

The Government regularly assess whether to add energy-saving materials, including heat batteries, to the list of items covered by the current VAT relief, which is set to continue until March 2027. Any decisions would have to be announced by the Chancellor at a fiscal event, but I am happy to discuss the matter.

[Antonia Bance (Tipton and Wednesbury) (Lab)]

Given the global situation, what discussions has the Chancellor had with Cabinet colleagues on helping to keep industrial energy costs manageable? Will she work with colleagues to bring in the British industrial competitiveness scheme, which would cut manufacturing energy costs by 25%, as soon as possible?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Antonia Bance and Dan Tomlinson

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dan Tomlinson]

I regularly reply to letters and parliamentary questions from the hon. Member and those on both sides of the House.

[Antonia Bance (Tipton and Wednesbury) (Lab)]

There are many small and medium-sized enterprises in advanced manufacturing supply chains in my bit of the Black Country. Does the Chancellor agree that successfully implementing our industrial strategy is vital to securing the growth, through small businesses, that we need to get British industry back on track?