Oral Answers to Questions

Jim Dickson Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dan Tomlinson]

As I said at the Dispatch Box just a few minutes ago, it was the previous Government that totally fluffed up this decision, and these revenues were in the forecast since 2019. If the Conservatives are looking for a political party that is not able to take the right decisions to protect the future of our oil and gas industry, they should look in the mirror—it is them.

[Jim Dickson (Dartford) (Lab)]

T6. Small businesses in Dartford that I spoke to immediately after the Budget, including Thaiger Thai, Ali’s Cafe and Albion’s Bakery, all hugely welcomed the measure to change the threshold for payment of business rates to £18,000. That will cut their costs and those of many other businesses across the constituency. What other measures can they and other high street businesses expect going forward to boost their growth and supplement our high streets?

[The Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General (James Murray)]

I am glad that our business rates changes will benefit businesses in my hon. Friend’s constituency, as part of our measures to take 70,000 small retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England out of paying business rates altogether, as well as a 20% cut for pubs and the real-terms freeze for all RHL businesses across the country.