All 1 Debates between George Osborne and Richard Ottaway

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between George Osborne and Richard Ottaway
Tuesday 24th June 2014

(10 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Richard Ottaway Portrait Sir Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con)
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3. What recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of increasing tax on businesses on public finances.

George Osborne Portrait The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne)
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Government analysis has shown that high corporate taxes have a negative impact on investment, jobs and growth, so we have cut the corporation tax rate from 28% to 21%. Next year, it will fall to 20%, the joint lowest rate in the G20. Increasing corporation tax, as some propose, would damage the economy, cost jobs and drive away investment. It is anti-business and we will not do it.

Richard Ottaway Portrait Sir Richard Ottaway
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I welcome that answer. There is growing evidence that, in a number of sectors where we have cut taxation, revenues are starting to rise. Does my right hon. Friend agree that those proposing increases in taxes are doing so for purely ideological reasons and because they are engaging in the politics of envy?

George Osborne Portrait Mr Osborne
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Whatever their motivations—I think my right hon. Friend is right—we are absolutely clear about the results. It will put people out of work and ensure that investment does not come to Britain. We are against plans to increase corporation tax. Indeed, I think that most people from around the world would look on in bemusement if Britain were to increase its business taxes, as the Opposition propose. To come to the point, the Treasury and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs are now providing more dynamic modelling of the effect of tax cuts on investment and growth, and cuts in corporation tax and fuel duty are shown to have positive impacts on the economy.