Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Barry Gardiner and Danny Alexander

Tuesday 10th December 2013 Commons Chamber

[Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab)]

The World Bank and the independent TEEB—the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity—report both state that 7% of global GDP could be lost by the devaluation of natural capital by 2050. Will the Government investigate what percentage of UK GDP is being lost through the depletion of natural capital?

[Danny Alexander]

The hon. Gentleman makes an incredibly important point. We in the Treasury and this Government have been examining the issue of natural capital, which we have taken forward in a way that previous Governments have not. I will certainly get the Minister responsible to reply in more detail on the specific point that the hon. Gentleman raises, because it is very important.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Barry Gardiner and Danny Alexander

Tuesday 13th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

Sadly, there has been no formal apology. Labour Members are free to offer one during this questions session should they wish to. In fact, with the revised Office for National Statistics forecasts of the last couple of days, we have seen the predicted reduction in the size of the economy go from 6.2% to 6.4%. Even after they have left office, their recession is still getting worse.

[Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab)]

Is the UK on the brink of a debt downgrade because the rating agencies have noted that the Government propose to cut capital allowances and therefore stifle investment, or because the agencies do not share the Government’s optimism about Europe’s capacity to buy UK goods in the future?

[Danny Alexander]

No, the hon. Gentleman will know that the rating agencies’ response to the Budget has been positive and ensured that we have a stronger position going forward.

Finance Bill

Debate between Barry Gardiner and Danny Alexander

Tuesday 6th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

I am grateful for that intervention. I am sure that my hon. Friend will have the chance to raise that point either in Committee or on the Floor of the House when the Bill is considered.

[Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab)]

Has the Chief Secretary analysed the impact of the Budget measures on women? If not, will he commit to doing so?

[Danny Alexander]

I can confirm that we have carried out an analysis of the Budget across the income distribution to evaluate its fairness. We have also conducted an analysis of the impact on child poverty, which is the most important aspect. We have ensured that, even in the toughest Budget since the second world war, there will be no impact on measured child poverty—something that could not always be said of the previous Government’s Budgets.

--- Later in debate ---

[Danny Alexander]

I am going to press on.

[Barry Gardiner]

Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?

[Danny Alexander]

I have given way already to the hon. Gentleman.

Let me turn to the first of the measures in the Bill.