Fuel Duty

Marcus Jones Excerpts

Monday 12th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con)]

I thank the hon. Lady for giving way. She said that we should listen to the voice of industry and of consumer groups. Did the Labour party listen to those groups when it put fuel duty up by 55% during its time in government?

[Cathy Jamieson]

Again, I regret the tone of the hon. Gentleman’s contribution. This is one issue on which we had the opportunity to unite and send a message to constituents, to all those who have contacted us and to businesses that are struggling, that the whole House could come together and agree. It is disappointing that the parties on the Government Benches have not done that.

My constituents and others are disappointed that while the Prime Minister and the Chancellor focus on giving tax cuts to millionaires, millions of families, businesses and pensioners are being forced to pay more. The cuts in child tax credits and child benefit, the hike in VAT and the cuts in age-related personal allowances have hit people hard throughout the country, just at the time when they and the economy need help.

The Leader of the Opposition has called this slow, remorseless squeeze

“a quiet crisis that is unfolding day by day in kitchens and living rooms in every town, village and city up and down this country”.

That is exactly what it is.

--- Later in debate ---

[Sajid Javid]

If the hon. Gentleman is patient he will hear about the action we have taken to help with the cost of living.

[Mr Marcus Jones]

Who is trying more to help hard-working people with the cost of living—a Government who have frozen council tax for the past three years or a Government who doubled council tax during their term in office?

[Sajid Javid]

My hon. Friend knows that the answer to that question is that it is this Government who are on the side of hard-working families.