National Infrastructure Plan

Debate between David Nuttall and Danny Alexander

Wednesday 4th December 2013 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

Let me start by paying tribute to the hon. Gentleman, who until recently performed a fantastic service to Northern Ireland in his role as Finance Minister in the Northern Ireland Government. He and I worked closely together in that regard. I would have thought that that work alone gave him confidence in the plans that I have set out. I do not think that his claim about the £18 billion for Northern Ireland is factually accurate, for reasons that he and I have discussed many times and, I am sure, will continue to discuss long into the future. As for the rest of the plan, he can be confident in it for the reasons set out in the document, which I very much encourage him to read and support.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Why do the Government still need to own Channel 4?

[Danny Alexander]

That is a good question, and I suggest that the hon. Gentleman raise it at Culture, Media and Sport questions.

Investing in Britain’s Future

Debate between David Nuttall and Danny Alexander

Thursday 27th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

The hon. Lady is absolutely right to highlight the fact that the north-east is the only region in the country that is a net contributor to the UK’s exports. The infrastructure investment announced today, for roads, broadband and so on, will help those industries. I cannot give her a precise breakdown, but I urge her to encourage the local enterprise partnerships in the area to take a full part in the local growth fund, which is a huge opportunity for the north-east.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

I warmly welcome the announcement of further investment in high-speed broadband. Nearly two years ago almost £1 million was awarded to the Labour-controlled Greater Manchester authorities to procure improved broadband. Today, thousands of my constituents in Bury, Ramsbottom and Tottington are still waiting and have seen no improvement whatsoever in broadband speeds. Will the Chief Secretary please undertake to speak to whoever it is, whether in Broadband Delivery UK or local government, to ensure that my constituents will at last see a real improvement in broadband speeds?

[Danny Alexander]

I am sorry to hear about the experience of the hon. Gentleman’s constituents. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is actually one of the most innovative in the country. The earn-back deal, which we have confirmed agreement on today, will give those authorities a real incentive to invest in the local economy. I will certainly pass on his specific concerns to BDUK.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and Danny Alexander

Tuesday 26th June 2012 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

I agree entirely with my hon. Friend. I met representatives of the FairFuelUK campaign yesterday. We have a great deal of sympathy with its arguments, as well as with those made by families across this country, including in remote and rural areas. It is worth saying that thanks to the decisions this coalition Government have made not only is fuel tax 10p a litre lower than under Labour’s plans, but council tax is lower and income tax is lower. In the Budget in March we also saw the largest ever increase in the income tax personal allowance, all of which puts money back into the pockets of hard-pressed families.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

7. What recent assessment he has made of the effect of EU regulations on economic growth.

Tax Avoidance (Public Servants)

Debate between David Nuttall and Danny Alexander

Thursday 2nd February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Does the Minister accept that, regardless of whether someone is employed in the public or private sector, tax avoidance—otherwise known as tax mitigation—is actually legal, whereas tax evasion is illegal?

[Danny Alexander]

Yes, the hon. Gentleman is absolutely right on the point of fact. It is fair to say that this Government have taken strong action to deal with both tax avoidance, where we wish to remove schemes that people use to minimise the amount of tax they pay, and tax evasion, which, as he says, is illegal. We announced an initial £900 million in the spending review for HMRC to invest for that purpose. As a result, we are, for example, quadrupling the number of court cases for tax evasion, to ensure that we make an example of people.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and Danny Alexander

Tuesday 6th September 2011 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

Yes.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

5. What recent assessment he has made of the financial crisis in the eurozone.