All 1 Debates between Emily Thornberry and Anne Main

Tue 12th Nov 2013

Housing Benefit

Debate between Emily Thornberry and Anne Main
Tuesday 12th November 2013

(11 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Anne Main Portrait Mrs Main
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As I was about to say, unicorns do not exist, fairies do not exist and—it does not matter how often Opposition Members say it—a bedroom tax does not exist. I found it very interesting when we all looked at our Order Papers yesterday and there it was: we were going to discuss a bedroom tax. Funnily enough, however, we are not discussing a bedroom tax, because it does not exist and it would be procedurally out of order for us to debate it. The mishmash of today’s debate has been rushed through because the Opposition realise that by closing their eyes and saying the wishful words “bedroom tax” they cannot conjure one up—it does not exist. If they consult Tolley’s tax guide, they will see that they are being financially illiterate—