Budget Resolutions

Natascha Engel Excerpts

Wednesday 8th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Natascha Engel)]

Order. Before I call the next speaker, who will maintain the eight-minute limit, I should warn Members that after that the limit will go down to seven minutes and it may have to come down a little lower.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Carmichael]

That brings us back to the same crux of the problem, which is that we are treating everybody with self-employed status as though they were living in the same way, but they are manifestly not. There is a distinction to be drawn between risk-takers and entrepreneurs, and those who are effectively employed but are treated as self-employed. That is the issue, but it will not be tackled by today’s change.

Likewise, the digitisation of tax will affect many sole traders and small business people. It is welcome that the proposal has been delayed for a year, but we all know about the problems that will make it difficult and, frankly, I do not see many of them being resolved in a year. All we have done is kick the can down the road.

The Liberal Democrats welcome the extra money for social care, but I fear that it will ultimately be inadequate, and that we will be in the middle of another NHS winter crisis this time next year. I wonder how many more crises our NHS will be able to sustain while retaining good-quality staff and providing the service that we enjoy at present.

My final point is about spirits duty—[Interruption.] I do hope that I am not intruding on the shadow Chancellor.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Natascha Engel)]

Order. I do not think that the shadow Chancellor is aware of how loudly he is speaking. It is quite difficult to hear the right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr Carmichael).

[Mr Carmichael]

I am grateful, Madam Deputy Speaker. The shadow Chancellor may not have been aware, but I was.

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Natascha Engel)]

Order. I am going to leave the limit at seven minutes for the next speaker, but after that it is going to come down to six minutes.