Economic Policy Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Economic Policy

Chi Onwurah Excerpts
Monday 25th February 2013

(11 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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George Osborne Portrait Mr Osborne
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I think that someone on the Opposition Benches shouted from a sedentary position, “Tax cuts for the rich,” when my hon. Friend was suggesting tax cuts for small businesses. That tells us everything about the Labour party’s attitude to enterprise. We have reduced the small companies rate, which was due to go up to 22% under the plans we inherited. It is now 20% and, as from the beginning of this year, we have had a tenfold increase in the annual investment allowance to help small businesses.

Chi Onwurah Portrait Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)
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Who does the Chancellor think has been the most humiliated in the eyes of the public—the credit rating agencies that gave triple A ratings to junk investments and therefore helped cause the financial crisis, or the Chancellor, who staked everything on the same triple A rating and then lost it?

George Osborne Portrait Mr Osborne
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Unfortunately the hon. Lady’s list did not include the shadow Chancellor, so I cannot give her an answer.