Tax Fairness

Debate between Chris Leslie and Andrew Miller

Tuesday 12th March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Chris Leslie]

Absolutely. That is not our proposal, as we think that it is possible to develop a mansion tax proposition for properties worth £2 million and above. We could develop and build on the Treasury’s suggestions for how it might work and we hope also to build on the carefully thought through calculations made by the Liberal Democrats.

[Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab)]

Would my hon. Friend like to speculate on why the Government chose not to refer to the Treasury document in their amendment?

[Chris Leslie]

Let us be realistic: the amendment was getting rather long-winded, as it is about four or five times the length of the motion. In fact, it looks like a bit of a trashing exercise and does not add to the substance of policy choices before the House. Our view is that the circumstances are very simple.