Cost of Living

Debate between David Rutley and Alun Cairns

Wednesday 27th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Alun Cairns]

rose—

[David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con)]

rose—

Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill

Debate between David Rutley and Alun Cairns

Tuesday 8th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con)]

Will my hon. Friend remind the House what steps the Labour party took to bring benefit increases closer to the world of work when it was in office?

[Alun Cairns]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that useful reminder that the Labour party did nothing on the issue. Few individuals—if any—would reject a benefit payment, even if in their hearts they were confused about why they were receiving it or uncomfortable with that. The then Chancellor knew well what he was doing and that withdrawing a payment after issuing it in the first place would create a difficult and almost impossible situation—the situation we are in now. Dependency on the state became more widespread, and with that came a significant political shift to the left. The centre ground of politics moved at that moment. It is, therefore, little wonder that £90 billion is now spent on welfare for people of working age.

During the seven years before the last general election, tax credit spend increased by a staggering 258%—that is the context I wished to create in response to the hon. Member for Edinburgh East (Sheila Gilmore). Adding insult to taxpayers’ injury, the tax credit regime was one of the most inefficient benefit systems ever devised, leading to £2 billion of fraud each and every year. Today’s Bill will lead to savings of £1.9 billion over two years, with the pain shared by those recipients whose increases in benefits will be limited. Although £1.9 billion is a significant sum, it does not go anywhere near the increases in spending introduced by the previous Government, particularly leading up to the 2010 general election.

Financial Services Bill

Debate between David Rutley and Alun Cairns

Monday 23rd April 2012 Commons Chamber

[David Rutley]

My hon. Friend is making a characteristically powerful speech about his concerns about various products and what the FCA should do to move things forward. I am concerned about some of the speeches and interventions from the Opposition, who are trying to be too prescriptive about what the FCA should do with particular products. Clearly, there is a range of issues and concerns, but ultimately we should surely allow the new chief executive of the FCA to take the decision based on what he or she feels should be the priority. Does my hon. Friend agree that we should not be too prescriptive?

[Alun Cairns]

I entirely agree. That is one of my reasons for opposing amendment 40. In my view, it will not achieve what it sets out to achieve, but will have far-reaching consequences for not only the FCA but consumers and providers.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Rutley and Alun Cairns

Wednesday 22nd June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con)]

4. What steps the Government plan to take to ensure a stable economic environment for businesses in Scotland.

[David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con)]

12. What steps the Government plan to take to ensure a stable economic environment for businesses in Scotland.