Oral Answers to Questions

Justine Greening Excerpts

Tuesday 1st October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Jesse Norman]

I have no idea what the loan charge review will conclude, but I guarantee that we will look at its findings with all due speed and dispatch.

[Justine Greening (Putney) (Ind)]

Like many Members, I have constituents who have been egregiously affected by the loan charge. The Minister’s response is unacceptable from their perspective. He should suspend all the loan charge activity while the review is under way and until the Government have responded to it. What preparation is happening in HMRC for the policy shift if the review says that the loan charge is unfair and needs to be changed? How will he deal with my constituents who have already had to pay but may be proven to have paid erroneously?

[Jesse Norman]

I am unable to comment on what the review will conclude. We can certainly look at whether there may be changes that HMRC would take rapidly thereafter. It possesses the capacity to do so quite quickly if necessary, as does Government. We will have to review that moment when it comes.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

So many shining stars in the parliamentary galaxy and so little time. Which star shall shine? Justine Greening.

[Justine Greening (Putney) (Ind)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Government seem to be making pre-election spending pledges with all the velocity of a high-power water jet. I wonder whether the Chancellor will point it in the direction of Hammersmith bridge. It has been closed for several months, but even its repair plan would not enable it to take double-decker buses. Will he look at whether his bus pledge can extend to the capital required to enable it to be successful?

[Sajid Javid]

I know that this is a very important issue for my right hon. Friend and her constituents. I share some of her concerns, which is why it has troubled me that the Mayor of London is not taking this issue seriously. Why is that? He has the funding available if he chooses to deploy it. He can make a difference immediately, but he refuses to do so.