National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill

Debate between Nusrat Ghani and Rachel Blake

Consideration of Lords amendments
Wednesday 19th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Rachel Blake (Cities of London and Westminster) (Lab/Co-op)]

I listened carefully to your answer to the Minister’s question about what you would cut if this change were to be reversed. You have not been clear about whether you would reverse it, but I listened carefully to the answer, and what I heard you say—[Interruption.] I am so sorry, Madam Deputy Speaker. The shadow Minister referred to GB Energy and the National Wealth Fund. Will he clarify whether he is really saying that he wants to reverse record levels of investment in energy infrastructure and innovation jobs, and in jobs across this country, to stabilise our economy into the future?

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

I remind hon. Members that interventions should not be short speeches. The hon. Lady is absolutely right; looking at the Chair should hopefully prevent her from saying the word “you” repeatedly.

Growing the UK Economy

Debate between Nusrat Ghani and Rachel Blake

Wednesday 29th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I call Select Committee member Rachel Blake.

[Rachel Blake (Cities of London and Westminster) (Lab/Co-op)]

I thank the Chief Secretary for his statement about investment and growth. Does he agree with me about the role that new towns will play in tackling our country’s housing crisis and how important it is that, alongside the homes in the new towns, we see the delivery of new social infrastructure? Can he outline how those plans will work?

[Darren Jones]

I thank my hon. Friend. As I informed the House recently, our infrastructure strategy, which will be published in June, will for the first time align social infrastructure plans for schools, GP surgeries and other public service facilities with those for housing and economic infrastructure. For the first time, we will be making strategic decisions about the places where people live.

On the house building target—I met tenants who will be moving into new social homes in Erewash last week—we talk about 1.5 million homes and about economic growth, but in every one of those buildings is someone’s life, their opportunities and the dreams they want to fulfil. This Government are delivering on economic growth, and we are doing so because the people at the heart of all these decisions are the people we need to get the economy moving and Britain doing well in the future.