Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Gordon Banks Excerpts
Tuesday 13th July 2010

(14 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman, but I do not think we need to dilate on the policies of the Opposition.

Gordon Banks Portrait Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire) (Lab)
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4. What recent assessment he has made of the effects of the change in the rate of capital gains tax on the number of business start-ups.

Mark Hoban Portrait The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr Mark Hoban)
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The change in the rate of capital gains tax is not expected to have a material impact on the number of business start-ups. The lifetime limit on gains qualifying for the entrepreneurs relief—the 10% CGT rate—was increased from £2 million to £5 million in the Budget. That will benefit entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Gordon Banks Portrait Gordon Banks
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I thank the Financial Secretary for his response, but does he share my concern that the change in capital gains tax will mean a reduction in businesses in the private housing rental sector, and with it, as predicted by Rightmove, a growth in rents and a shrinkage in the number of houses for rent? If so, what is he going to do about it?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call the Chief Secretary. No, the Minister.