Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Jane Ellison Excerpts
Tuesday 29th January 2013

(11 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Danny Alexander Portrait The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Danny Alexander)
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If the hon. Lady were concerned about child care, I would have thought she would welcome the fact that under this Government the free offer for three and four-year-olds has been increased from 12.5 hours to 15 hours and that this Government have put in place a new offer for the 40% most disadvantaged two-year-olds for 15 hours’ free nursery education at that age. We will bring forward the proposals to which she refers very shortly, and I hope that when she sees them, she will welcome them.

Jane Ellison Portrait Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con)
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T8. Will the Chancellor update the House on a subject on which all Members receive a great deal of correspondence—funding for small businesses? Will he in particular update us on the funding for lending scheme and other similar initiatives?

Greg Clark Portrait The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Greg Clark)
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I can tell my hon. Friend that in the most recent period, net lending under funding for lending has increased by £500 million. It is also the case that the average interest rate on small business loans has declined by 0.33% since the scheme was introduced.