Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Neil Duncan-Jordan Excerpts
Tuesday 3rd December 2024

(2 days, 2 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Murray Portrait James Murray
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The problem with Conservative Members is that they are all happy to say that they want more funding for the NHS; they are just not prepared to pay for it. What they need to realise is that, in government, we have to take tough decisions to ensure that we can fund public services and fix the public finances.

Neil Duncan-Jordan Portrait Neil Duncan-Jordan (Poole) (Lab)
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What reassurance can the Minister give to hospices such as Julia’s House, which serves my constituents, which are concerned by the planned increase in national insurance contributions and the impact that will have on the services they provide?

James Murray Portrait James Murray
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As my hon. Friend will know, many hospices are independent charities and therefore will be able to access the employment allowance, which we have doubled to £10,500 a year, as well as the other wider tax reliefs in the tax system for charities, such as business rates relief and gift aid. Of course, hospices often have statutory obligations with the NHS as well, so I suggest that hospices discuss their contracts with their integrated care boards.