Investing in Britain’s Future

Debate between Kevin Brennan and Danny Alexander

Thursday 27th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

As the hon. Gentleman will see when he looks at the document that we published today, part of the announcement states:

“Operators will commit to provide £100,000 in community benefits at exploration phase, per well-site where hydraulic fracturing occurs. They will commit to sharing their proceeds with communities, providing one per cent of revenues to communities that host them.”

[Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab)]

May I echo the Chancellor’s praise yesterday for the Chief Secretary for the great job that he has done as the Tory election strategists’ little helper? Beneath the hilarious hyperbole in today’s statement, is not the truth, as per the Chief Secretary’s own document, that gross investment is falling by £1 billion next year—by 1.7%—or is the document wrong?

[Danny Alexander]

We set out the plans for capital investment in 2015-16 and beyond yesterday and in the Budget last time. We have set aside £50.4 billion in 2015-16. That is £3 billion more than was previously promised, which we added to at the time of the budget. Those comments are ludicrous when we have not yet heard an apology from Labour for the mess they made of the British economy.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kevin Brennan and Danny Alexander

Tuesday 6th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with my hon. Friend. When the coalition Government came into office the UK was forecast to have the largest deficit in the whole of the G20. It is necessary to stick to the Government’s consolidation plan to restore public finances to sustainability. At the same time, the Government are delivering a radical programme of supply-side reforms to lay the foundations for a stronger and more balanced economy in the future.

[Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab)]

I think the Minister has studied some economics. Does he understand the mechanism by which going too far, too fast with cuts can make the budget deficit worse? Where did he and his colleagues go so wrong with their sums on the budget deficit?

[Danny Alexander]

There is a very simple mechanism going on in the economy: the hon. Gentleman’s party caused the mess and we are cleaning it up.

Public Service Pensions

Debate between Kevin Brennan and Danny Alexander

Wednesday 2nd November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

It is for the unions to reflect and decide on their response. I am not standing here at the Dispatch Box to respond for them; it is strange enough to respond for the Liberal Democrats and the Conservative party. I hope that the trade unions will, on reflection, realise that this offer provides a justification for putting renewed effort and vigour into the scheme-by-scheme discussions and much less effort and vigour into any possible strike action.

[Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab)]

What is the cost to the public purse of the changes the right hon. Gentleman has announced today?

[Danny Alexander]

The cost ceiling under these changes will be 8% higher than the previous cost ceiling we set out.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kevin Brennan and Danny Alexander

Tuesday 12th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab)]

3. What representations he has received on variations between the English regions and constituent parts of the UK in respect of the effects of the measures in the June 2010 Budget.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Danny Alexander)]

We received representations from many interested parties from all parts of the UK and at the time of the Budget we published details of the impact of the Budget on each English region and each devolved Administration.

[Kevin Brennan]

Does not the Government’s proposed closure of the passport office in Newport show that, far from us all being in this together, these Budget cuts will fall disproportionately on the poorest parts of the UK? Is this closure inevitable?

[Danny Alexander]

I am grateful for the question, and I understand the sensitivity in the community about that decision. The spending review will, of course, result in some difficult decisions having to be made all over the country. I can however say to the hon. Gentleman that we are looking very closely at the regional and national impact of particular decisions. One of the reasons why the Deputy Prime Minister announced a regional growth fund for England is to deal with those issues, and I hope very much that the Welsh Assembly Government might follow suit.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kevin Brennan and Danny Alexander

Tuesday 13th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

Supporting people with mental health problems through protecting the NHS budget is the best way to achieve the outcome that the hon. Lady suggests. There is also the Work programme, which is being developed by the Department for Work and Pensions to bring together and replace many of the employment initiatives of the previous Government, some of which were highly ineffective. Conditioned management of mental health problems will be part of that programme, which will help people with mental health problems back into work, which is, after all, the best route out of poverty.

[Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab)]

15. In what sectors of the economy he expects the export growth forecast contained in the June 2010 Budget to be achieved.

--- Later in debate ---

[Danny Alexander]

We have announced a pay policy that involves a pay freeze for people earning above £21,000 a year. People earning below £21,000 a year will have a pay rise of at least £250.

[Kevin Brennan]

Pro rata.

[Danny Alexander]

That pay rise will be pro rata, but people will benefit from the changes to tax credits, for example, and the significant increase in the child tax credit for those with children. That will help to ensure that many of the people with children in the hon. Lady’s constituency whom she is describing will not be driven into poverty, as they were in many instances were under the previous Government.