Changes to the Budget

Debate between David Gauke and Claire Perry

Monday 11th June 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

There have been no such changes. HMRC produced operational guidance, which I understand was misinterpreted by the industry. HMRC has clarified its guidance, but there has been no change in the policy or operational position relating to skips.

[Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con)]

Marshall’s Bakery in Pewsey, which is in my constituency, will be delighted by the news, as the Minister will know because he received a large petition from its customers. I am proud to be part of a Government who listen to people, but will the Minister please assure me that he will never, ever listen to any economic advice from the Labour party, whose view is that the way to get out of a borrowing crisis is simply to borrow more?

[Mr Gauke]

I can assure my hon. Friend that we will not be listening to those who think that the best solution to debt is to borrow more.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Gauke and Claire Perry

Tuesday 10th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

The economy is growing: that is clear from the Office for National Statistics numbers and from the projections of every respected economic forecaster. Despite the predictions coming from the Opposition last year, there has been no double dip.

[Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con)]

May I return to the topic of VAT on fuel? I have just come from a business session in my constituency of Devizes, where I know that despite the decrease, high fuel prices continue to be a real drag on growth for small businesses across the economy. I have a letter from the EU commissioner saying that the recent motion we debated—that a derogation should be made specifically for motoring fuel—is almost certainly illegal and definitely unworkable under EU legislation. May I ask Ministers what proposals we can suggest to help motorists in the real world now that the Labour party’s suggestion has been revealed as yet another—

[Mr Speaker]

We are grateful to the hon. Lady.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Gauke and Claire Perry

Tuesday 22nd March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

All I can say is that I am surprised that the hon. Lady is opposed to increases in personal allowances and I suspect that she might be somewhat lonely in the Lobby opposing it.

[Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con)]

Is the Minister aware of my freedom of information request from last September which found that the previous Government never carried out an equalities impact assessment—not in the March Budget, the December pre-Budget report or the March 2010 Budget? They never did it either.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Gauke and Claire Perry

Tuesday 8th February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

We announced in the June Budget corporation tax reductions that will benefit all sectors, including manufacturing. As we can see, so far manufacturing is doing well. Of course, we cannot be complacent, but the early signs are that our policies are helping.

[Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con)]

I want to ask the ministerial team which piece of recent data they find most interesting: the record level of manufacturing activity, the rebound in consumer confidence or the endorsement by the Institute for Fiscal Studies of this Government’s economic policy in paying off the previous Government’s debt?

[Mr Gauke]

It is absolutely clear that this Government are on the right course. There are some encouraging signs, but none the less we must stick to the course. The early indications are, in manufacturing in particular, that that sector of the economy is growing well.

Office of Tax Simplification

Debate between David Gauke and Claire Perry

Tuesday 20th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

The hon. Gentleman rightly makes the point that tax law is a complicated matter, and such matters are not addressed easily and simply, but we believe that we have appointed the right individuals, and that there is engagement by the tax professions. We believe that the tax law rewrite project had many commendable features, but it was very restricted. It focused merely on wording, and we want an independent body to consider policy recommendations to see how we can improve our tax system.

[Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con)]

Does the Minister agree that this is a very long overdue initiative, with two aspects that we would never have heard about from the Opposition—a focus on simplicity, and the idea that things can be done without the benefit of an overpaid quango?

[Mr Gauke]

I think that we are going to achieve something very important, with good value for money for the taxpayer—and I think that will be a hallmark of this Government.