Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mike Freer and David Gauke

Tuesday 6th September 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

My hon. Friend will be aware that we are not privy to the advice that was given to previous Governments. However, I look forward to reading tomorrow confirmation that the previous Chancellor believed that it was a wise course of action to increase VAT.

[Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con)]

4. What recent estimate he has made of the public sector borrowing requirement.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mike Freer and David Gauke

Tuesday 12th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con)]

11. What steps his Department is taking to simplify the tax system.

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke)]

The Government are committed to simplifying the tax system. To help to achieve that, the Government have established the independent Office of Tax Simplification. Business and tax professionals have also consistently pointed to the way in which tax policy is developed, legislated and implemented as a contributing factor to overall complexity. We published a discussion document alongside the June Budget setting out proposals for a new approach to tax policy making.

[Mike Freer]

Will the Minister advise on the progress of the interim reports for the Office of Tax Simplification, specifically on IR35 and tax reliefs?

[Mr Gauke]

The OTS is looking at two areas. One is reliefs and exemptions, and although the timing of the publication is to be finalised and that is a matter for the OTS, there will be an interim report, I believe in November, on this area. With regard to the reform of small businesses, including IR35, the OTS intends to report in time for the Chancellor to take into account its views in preparation for the Budget.

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[Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con)]

T6. Although my constituents accept the need to tackle Labour’s legacy, many of them have large families and are concerned about the changes in child benefit. Will the Minister consider transitional arrangements to help families to adjust?

[Mr Gauke]

We do have to take tough decisions. The full implementation proposals will be announced next week, but this is one of those occasions when we must make tough decisions, because we must face up to the enormous deficit. The Government are prepared to deal with it.