Government Spending Cuts Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: HM Treasury

Government Spending Cuts

Chris Leslie Excerpts
Wednesday 26th May 2010

(14 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts

Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

David Laws Portrait Mr Laws
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I have already made it clear that our priority is to protect schools, which is precisely what we have done in the spending statement. I am afraid that there is a basic ideological differences between those on the Labour Benches and those on the Government Benches—we believe in devolving power and giving freedom to people. We do not believe that Government know best, and the previous Administration proved that very effectively.

Chris Leslie Portrait Christopher Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op)
- Hansard - -

Given that the Chief Secretary is taking more than £1 billion away from local authorities in this financial year, can he give a categorical guarantee that no local authorities will have to issue emergency changes to council tax bills in this financial year? Many people are worried about that.

David Laws Portrait Mr Laws
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

We certainly do not expect that. I welcome the hon. Gentleman back to this House.