Draft Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2018 Draft Tax Credits and Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating etc. Regulations 2018 Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: HM Treasury

Draft Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2018 Draft Tax Credits and Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating etc. Regulations 2018

John Baron Excerpts
Wednesday 7th February 2018

(6 years, 2 months ago)

General Committees
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
John Baron Portrait Mr John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) (Con)
- Hansard - -

The Minister will also be aware that our record on helping the vulnerable is something to be proud of. The Minister has talked about reducing income inequality but we must also remember that many foundations—including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation—suggest that we have reduced relative poverty as well. There is always more to be done, but together with very low unemployment we can be proud of the fact that we have helped the vulnerable in society, whilst accepting that there is still more to be done.

Mel Stride Portrait Mel Stride
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My hon. Friend is entirely right, and he will know that prior to the very recent figures, which still show that the level of income inequality is the lowest since 2010, it was the lowest in 30 years.