Taxes

Debate between Jerome Mayhew and John Slinger

Wednesday 12th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[John Slinger]

I will not; I may give way in a little bit, but let me make some progress.

We will ensure that we avoid another decade of under-investment in public services and infrastructure. I am sure we all agree that we owe it to future generations to ensure that the economy we hand down is secure, with debt under control. I would like to hear more from Conservative Members—perhaps they would like to intervene on me. Their motion makes no mention of the public services that would be cut. How many doctors, teachers, soldiers and police officers would they want to cut? I am happy to take an intervention.

[Jerome Mayhew]

If the hon. Gentleman is looking for ideas about how to cut spending, he could do worse than to look at the proposals set out at the Conservative party conference, in which we identified £47 billion of public sector cuts that would not require any of the cuts that he suggests.

[John Slinger]

That £47 billion seems rather like a number plucked out of thin air. Frankly, I do not think that that number holds any credibility.

The previous Government cut national insurance in 2024, which was deliberate sabotage. They cut public services from 2010 onwards, which was deliberate ideological recklessness and is still damaging the services that our constituents rely on.

--- Later in debate ---

[Jerome Mayhew]

rose—

[John Slinger]

I will not give way.

The Conservatives broke their triple lock promise in 2022 and 2023.