Budget Changes

Debate between David Gauke and Nadhim Zahawi

Monday 21st March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

This is a Government who have increased spending on the disabled. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions will shortly make a statement on Government policy in this area.

[Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con)]

You frequently remind us, Mr Speaker, about the people listening and watching at home—our constituents. On the second day of the Budget debate, the shadow Chancellor pledged that if the Government would look again at the personal independence plans, the Opposition would not play politics with that. Does my hon. Friend agree that this is too serious an issue to play politics with?

[Mr Gauke]

My hon. Friend has a point. We have had assurances about not playing politics once or twice before from the shadow Chancellor. I am not sure he has always delivered on that.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Gauke and Nadhim Zahawi

Tuesday 24th June 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

As a Government we are trying to do everything we can to help the construction industry, whether that is through the beneficial effect of Help to Buy, the local infrastructure fund, or the changes to planning. It is worth pointing out that construction output, according to the Office for National Statistics, is 4.6% up from where it was 12 months ago. The purchasing managers index also shows significant increases in construction. We are moving in the right direction.

[Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con)]

The construction industry has benefited from the business-friendly policies of this Government. Does my hon. Friend agree with my constituent, the former Trade Minister, Lord Digby Jones, when he says that the Leader of the Opposition is the “least business-friendly” leader of any political party in years?

[Mr Speaker]

On the subject of private sector investment in the construction industry, rather than the characteristics of an individual, a brief reply, Minister Gauke. We are grateful.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Gauke and Nadhim Zahawi

Tuesday 10th December 2013 Commons Chamber

[Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con)]

T8. Businesses across the country will welcome the news that rate rises are to be capped at 2% and that small businesses will receive a £1,000 discount on their rate bills. Independent retailers in my market towns of Stratford, Henley-in-Arden, Shipston-on-Stour and Studley have been lobbying me on that. How many businesses nationwide will benefit from that, and how much will they save in total?

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke)]

We estimate that about 300,000 shops, pubs and restaurants in England will benefit from the £1,000 business rates discount, and that in aggregate the measures announced in the autumn statement will save businesses around £1 billion in business rates, although the amounts will of course vary from business to business.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Gauke and Nadhim Zahawi

Tuesday 21st June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

I certainly think that, if we put our credibility at risk, there would be considerable concern about, for example, the currency. The response to that would be higher interest rates, which would do nothing for the growth of the economy.

[Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con)]

We are already spending £120 million a day on debt interest. What figure does the Minister think would be reached if we had not increased VAT?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We should be focusing on inflation. I call the Minister to answer, very briefly.

PAYE Contributions

Debate between David Gauke and Nadhim Zahawi

Wednesday 8th September 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I understand that the Minister is trying to help the House with informative replies, but I am afraid they are rather prolix and they need to get shorter.

[Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con)]

Does my hon. Friend agree that the previous Government ignored not only the crippling budget deficit but the serious problem with PAYE? That is evidence as to why the coalition’s setting up of the Office of Tax Simplification is so important.

[Mr Gauke]

My hon. Friend raises an important point. One of the stresses and strains that HMRC has had to deal with has been the complexity of the tax system. If we can address that, we can establish a simpler PAYE system and reduce the demands placed on HMRC so that it can focus on these very matters.