"My Lords, while the Minister is not transferring to the Diplomatic Service—we would miss him greatly—there does seem to be a sense of denial in the question by the noble Lord, Lord Eatwell, and the Minister’s answer. GDP is now expected to expand by just 0.7% this year, according to …..." Lord Leigh of Hurley - View Speech
"My Lords, I will speak briefly to this group of amendments in lieu. I am grateful to my noble friend Lady Neville-Rolfe for returning these issues to the House despite the very disappointing decision to cloak all our previous amendments in the financial privilege. Up and down the country, SME …..." Lord Leigh of Hurley - View Speech
"My Lords, the ultimate judge and arbiter of the Government’s success is the bond market. As of this afternoon, 10-year gilts are at 4.91%, higher than in the famous Liz Truss era, which Members on the opposite Benches are so keen to reflect back at us, and the highest in …..." Lord Leigh of Hurley - View Speech
"To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to (1) data released by the Office for National Statistics on 20 March showing that public sector borrowing in February was £14.3 billion, and (2) the increase in 10-year gilt yields, what plans they have to reduce Government spending...." Lord Leigh of Hurley - View Speech
"To get back to the Question from the noble Lord, Lord Lee, who speaks as an investor, I speak as chairman of a public company and a senior partner of Cavendish plc. We welcome shareholders coming to our AGM. It is quite true that there are some shareholders who go …..." Lord Leigh of Hurley - View Speech
"My Lords, it is an honour to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Fairhead. I also speak as a member of the Finance Bill Sub-Committee of the Economic Affairs Committee—a lot of words on a business card. It was a delight to serve on it again, and I congratulate our chairman, …..." Lord Leigh of Hurley - View Speech
"As the noble Lord has invited me to intervene, I will. The point is that women live longer than men and it is much more likely that, if a person passes away, it will be the man leaving the woman to be the PR and to pay the tax...." Lord Leigh of Hurley - View Speech
"The Minister will be aware of the successful campaign that Retailers Against VAT Abuse Schemes and I ran to ensure that online marketplaces are required to collect VAT on certain transactions involving non-UK established sellers. The problem is that the current system has been exploited by proxy directors, proxy companies …..." Lord Leigh of Hurley - View Speech
"With respect, at either Second Reading or in Committee—I think in Committee—there was a statement that there would not be in this legislation, but other legislation, changes to the definition of earnings for students to get around the problem in this Bill...." Lord Leigh of Hurley - View Speech
"With respect, that is exactly what the noble Baroness, Lady Kramer, has asked. The Minister has said that he did not say that, but he has just read it out...." Lord Leigh of Hurley - View Speech