Oral Answers to Questions

Gavin Newlands Excerpts

Wednesday 17th May 2023 Commons Chamber

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising that important issue. I am afraid that, sadly, this is what one might expect from a Liberal Democrat-run council. I join my hon. Friend in thanking the Guildford Street Angels for all their efforts, and I am sure that they, and she, will continue to make those views known to Guildford Borough Council.

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

Q4. Many of my constituents are struggling to pay the bills and put food on the table. Food prices have risen by more than 19% in the last year, while the cheapest infant formula is up by 45%, gas prices are up by 129%, and electricity prices are up by 67%. Many people report borrowing more money than they did this time last year. Car manufacturers are threatening to move production, the Office for Budget Responsibility says that £100 billion has been lost from the economy forever, and wages are falling further and further behind basic living expenses. Does the Deputy Prime Minister really still believe that his Government’s kamikaze Brexit is delivering for the people of these isles?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

I certainly do believe that. Let me say to those on the SNP Benches that it is only because of the strength of our United Kingdom that we are able to afford interventions to deal with, for instance, the cost of living, providing more than £3,300 for every single family in our United Kingdom which was paid for by a 75% windfall tax on oil and gas companies. That is a United Kingdom delivering on the cost of living.