Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between George Osborne and Helen Grant

Tuesday 10th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Osborne]

I have just been told by my hon. Friend the Member for Chelsea and Fulham (Greg Hands) something about the hon. Lady that I did not know: she is the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the previous leader of the Labour party. It is presumably not a job with onerous responsibilities, but it sounds as though he may have written that question for her. The Office for Budget Responsibility is the independent body that assesses our ability to hit the fiscal mandate. The reason we set it up was because under the stewardship of the person to whom she is PPS all credibility for Treasury figures was lost.

[Mrs Helen Grant (Maidstone and The Weald) (Con)]

Only 14% of small businesses are owned by women. What action will the Chancellor take to improve this figure?

[Mr Osborne]

It is incredibly important to try to increase the number of women who set up their own businesses. The Government have undertaken a number of specific initiatives, driven from No. 10 Downing street, and I will ensure that my hon. Friend is closely involved in them.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between George Osborne and Helen Grant

Tuesday 16th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne)]

With your permission, Mr Speaker, if I dare ask for it, I should like to answer this question with questions 6 and 7.

[Mrs Helen Grant (Maidstone and The Weald) (Con)]

6. What fiscal measures he has introduced to provide assistance for pensioners since his appointment.

[Nick de Bois (Enfield North) (Con)]

7. What fiscal measures he has introduced to provide assistance for pensioners since his appointment.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Osborne]

First, next year, the pension will be linked to the retail prices index number for September—4.6%. That will be a welcome support for pensioners from April. However, I should make the broader point that of course, re-linking pensions and guaranteeing through our commitment that they will go up either in line with earnings or prices, or by 2.5%, is a really substantial boost for pensioners. That reflects the fact that many pensioners have worked hard and saved hard all their lives. I am glad that that was one of the first policy announcements of this coalition Government.

[Mrs Grant]

What fiscal action will the Chancellor take to assist voluntary sector organisations, which do so much to help our pensioners?

[Mr Osborne]

The spending review set out a £470 million package of support for the voluntary sector, including an endowment fund and a transition fund. In addition, the big society bank, which will be funded by dormant bank accounts, will provide a new source of finance for the sector. The Government completely understand the incredible role that such organisations play in supporting elderly people in our community, and we want to help them to do so.