Oral Answers to Questions

Kevin Brennan Excerpts

Tuesday 26th June 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

I am sure the hon. Lady is aware that Greggs welcomed what we said about hot food. None the less, there has been an anomaly in the tax system whereby some hot foods have been treated differently from others. We are seeking to remove that anomaly and that is exactly what we are doing.

[Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab)]

16. What recent estimate he has made of the effects of his fiscal policies on the rate of growth in output.

[The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Miss Chloe Smith)]

Tackling the deficit is necessary for supporting sustainable economic growth. The Government’s credible consolidation plan, which includes important measures to support investment and output, has restored confidence in the UK’s fiscal position, helped avoid a rise in market interest rates and allowed a more activist monetary policy.

[Kevin Brennan]

Given that the lead-in time for fiscal policy is about 18 months, how can the Minister explain the fact that the UK economy is now in recession, following the full impact of her Government’s fiscal policies?

[Miss Smith]

It is essential to return the public finances to a sustainable path. It is this Government who are doing that, it is this Government who are keeping interest rates low, it is this Government who are taking action on fuel duty, and it is the Opposition who have no answers at all.