Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

James Davies Excerpts
Tuesday 19th March 2024

(9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Laura Trott Portrait Laura Trott
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We have talked a lot today about the £400 billion of support that we put in during the pandemic and the £100 billion of support that we put in to support people during Putin’s energy price shock. The Labour party did not disagree with any of those things, and I think the hon. Lady in her heart of hearts will know that we have to pay for that—at least, I hope she does. We have had to take some difficult decisions, but because of that, the economy is turning a corner. We are able to reduce working people’s taxes, and I hope that she and her party will find it within themselves to support us in that endeavour.

James Davies Portrait Dr James Davies (Vale of Clwyd) (Con)
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13. What fiscal steps his Department is taking to support small businesses.

Paul Holmes Portrait Paul Holmes (Eastleigh) (Con)
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16. What fiscal steps his Department is taking to support small businesses.

Gareth Davies Portrait The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Gareth Davies)
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Small businesses drive our economy and we support them to thrive using levers across Government, whether that is through our small business rate relief, by increasing the VAT registration threshold, by providing reliefs such as the annual investment allowance or through various programmes offered by the British Business Bank.

James Davies Portrait Dr James Davies
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The Welsh Government are increasing the burden on small businesses by reducing retail, hospitality and leisure business rates relief from 75% to just 40%, despite the UK Government rightly extending that relief in England in the Budget. That means that businesses in my constituency, such as the Little Cheesemonger, Now to Bed, Presents with a Difference and Tu Mundo, are all facing unsustainable business rates bills. One business has to find an extra £35,000 a year for business rates alone. What advice does the Minister have for small businesses in north Wales facing these onerous bills?