Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Desmond Swayne Excerpts
Tuesday 21st March 2023

(1 year, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jeremy Hunt Portrait Jeremy Hunt
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What I say to the hon. Lady, whom I greatly respect, is that we did a lot for public services in the autumn statement, including a £3 billion increase in the annual schools budget and an £8 billion increase in the annual health and care budget. We are always focusing on public services, and we do support a progressive tax system.

Desmond Swayne Portrait Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)
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Will the Chancellor tweak the childcare initiative to enable families in which one parent wants to care for children full-time to have a realistic prospect of being able to afford to do so?

Jeremy Hunt Portrait Jeremy Hunt
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We think these reforms will make a big difference to all parents. Our priority is parents who want to work and who are prevented from working by the expense of the current system. I would remind my right hon. Friend that we still have a 15-hour free childcare offer for all parents, irrespective of whether they work, for three and four-year-olds.