Oral Answers to Questions

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Monday 20th May 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Ellwood]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right that this issue affects not just those in uniform for whom we have responsibility, costing the MOD £4 million a year, but their spouses, partners and so forth. We are pleased to say that around three quarters of those partners, spouses and so forth are in employment—that is on a par with the civilian sector—but that means that they, too, face that tax burden if they move to Scotland.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

14. Given the impact on spouses, is there a case for the payment of a local overseas allowance? Or would that be to hand the nationalists a propaganda advantage?

[Mr Ellwood]

My right hon. Friend answers his own question.