Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Neil Carmichael Excerpts
Tuesday 10th March 2015

(9 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Danny Alexander Portrait Danny Alexander
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We have already announced measures to deal with intermediaries, both offshore and onshore. As the hon. Gentleman will know, a consultation on the issue is taking place at the moment, and it is important to ensure that companies cannot put in place artificial arrangements that are designed to reduce their tax bill and often have the consequence of removing important employment rights from workers. We continue to take that matter incredibly seriously.

Neil Carmichael Portrait Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con)
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Does the Chief Secretary agree that one key aspect of the long-term economic plan is investment in skills, and will he reassure the House that the Government will carry on doing that?

Danny Alexander Portrait Danny Alexander
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Yes I can. As this is national apprenticeship week it is worth reflecting on the fact that in this Parliament we have created more than 2 million more apprenticeships. That is a great achievement of this Government and has helped to ensure that young people have the skills they need to succeed in today’s economy. From my perspective that will continue to be a priority in the next Parliament.