Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation

Paul Maynard Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Osborne]

Let me address these points, and then I am happy to take interventions.

First, over 3 million disabled people are now in work, which is 300,000 more than just a couple of years ago. We are also providing more support than ever before for the most disabled people. The budget has risen, will continue to rise and is much greater than the one we inherited. We are going to take our time, listen, consult widely and continue to build a system of disability support that works much better with our health and social services. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said in his excellent statement yesterday, we will continue to support disabled people, and we will work with him to make sure that we do.

[Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) (Con)]

Does the Chancellor agree with me that we can be a compassionate Conservative Government only if we have a strong, stable economy, with a reduced deficit, to enable us to protect the most vulnerable in society?

[Mr Osborne]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I was coming on to make precisely that point.