Economic Growth

Debate between Esther McVey and Emma Reynolds

Monday 7th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Emma Reynolds]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question and his work on this agenda. I reassure him that, as the Chancellor set out this morning in his growth speech, we will work across Departments to ensure that we open up public procurement to smaller and start-up businesses, so that they stay here, rather than go elsewhere when they scale up?

[Esther McVey (Tatton) (Con)]

Does the Minister believe that putting up taxes is good or bad for economic growth?

[Emma Reynolds]

Sometimes it is necessary, in order to fund improvements in our national health service and to fill the £22 billion fiscal black hole that we inherited.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Esther McVey and Emma Reynolds

Tuesday 20th May 2025 Commons Chamber

[Emma Reynolds]

As we announced in the spring statement, we are looking for options for ISA reform to ensure that we get the balance right between cash and equities. I can reassure my hon. Friend that we understand that cash savings are a vital tool for people and act as a financial buffer for a rainy day.

[Esther McVey (Tatton) (Con)]

I am sure that the Chancellor subscribes to the basic principle that if the cost of something is put up, we will see less of it. That is why Governments have, over many years, put taxes on things like smoking. Does she accept that the principle also applies to employing people—that the more expensive the Government make employing people, with their jobs tax increasing NICs for employers, the less we will see of that?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Esther McVey and Emma Reynolds

Monday 28th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Esther McVey]

I remind the hon. Gentleman that the definition of “household” has been in place for some time, so what has happened has always been in place. As the Secretary of State said, there are many exemptions from the cap. Working with the discretionary payment, we can work together to get this right.

[Emma Reynolds (Wolverhampton North East) (Lab)]

14. What steps he is taking to address long-term unemployment.