Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Peter Bottomley and David Gauke

Tuesday 9th July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

As I said earlier, there is a wider debate on this matter. I believe that the earlier such support can be provided, the better. When it comes to reform of divorce law, my argument is that by that stage it is often too late. In any event, the current requirement in our divorce law to attribute blame and fault makes it all the harder for marriages to be reconciled.

[Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) (Con)]

I think my right hon. Friend and the Government have got the approach right. Divorce is not the time to start putting difficulties in people’s way. When people get married, they know it is going to end in desertion, divorce or death; on the whole, death is the one we would choose, but preferably not as a result of too active participation by the other half.

May I reinforce what my right hon. Friend said, and ask him whether he will try to make it better known, not just in his Department but in others, that if people can get into stable households, all sorts of things go better? Poverty is reduced, anguish is reduced, life is extended and people have better lives, so times of family formation, reformation and even de-formation can lead to a better life for most people.

[Mr Gauke]

I do agree with my hon. Friend, and I am interested by the insights into the Bottomley household. The fact that our current divorce laws introduce conflict at the point of divorce can make the break-up of relationships more confrontational than it needs to be in what are already difficult circumstances.

[Mr Speaker]

I believe that the hon. Gentleman has been married for 52 years.

Sixth-Form Colleges (VAT)

Debate between Peter Bottomley and David Gauke

Tuesday 17th December 2013 Westminster Hall

[Mr Gauke]

I am not entirely surprised by the hon. Gentleman’s comments. I have no doubt that he would not hesitate to put up income tax by 1p. In the context of the current fiscal situation, we have to be very careful with public expenditure. The Department for Education will, of course, keep the sector’s funding under review.

Although I recognise that colleges have concerns, the reform of 16 to 19 education is one of the Government’s priorities. The Government remain committed to moving towards fairer funding of 16 to 19 education by levelling the rate of funding for schools and colleges by 2015.

[Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) (Con)]

I am sorry that I missed the earlier remarks about 18-year-olds and the £700 cut in funding, which will mostly affect people in poorer postcodes. Does my hon. Friend the Minister accept that if the schools budget was increased by 0.8% rather than 1%, there would have been no need for a 17.5% cut in 18-plus funding to Worthing college and other sixth-form colleges?

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Gauke]

Department for Education Ministers have decided to make savings in the academic year 2014-15 by reducing the participation requirements for 18-year-olds in full-time education. It is worth pointing out that most 18-year-olds will have already benefited from two years of post-16 education. We are of course in a situation where difficult choices must be made about public finances; my hon. Friend the Member for Worthing West (Sir Peter Bottomley) is well aware of that.

The Department for Education is introducing a series of reforms in partnership with the sector to help drive up standards and improve the quality of provision by implementing Alison Wolf’s proposals for 16 to 19 education, by introducing new traineeships for school leavers, and by reforming the apprenticeships programme to route funding directly to employers.

To conclude, while the Government recognise the concerns raised by sixth-form colleges, this position is not unique to such colleges. The Government have no plans to make any change in this area in the near future, given the fiscal climate.

[Sir Peter Bottomley]

rose—

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Peter Bottomley and David Gauke

Tuesday 8th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke)]

The Government are taking action to support enterprise and create a fair, competitive and efficient tax system to deliver the private sector-led recovery that will be the foundation of future growth. Fundamental to this strategy will be tackling the budget deficit and providing a stable macro-economic environment that will underpin private sector investment and growth. Further details of the action that the Government will take to secure future growth will be included in the emergency Budget on 22 June.

[Peter Bottomley]

We agree that investment, enterprise and modest tax rates will help the economy grow out of the inherited mess. In addition to the academic work of Arthur Laffer and Sir James Mirrlees, will my hon. Friend hold in mind the situation of an elderly lone mother who may have put money aside to buy a house, and after decades may wish to sell it, without too high a capital gains tax bill?

[Mr Gauke]

Obviously, this Government will want to encourage hard work and enterprise, just as the Government in which my hon. Friend served with much distinction in the 1980s did. As for specific tax measures, I am sure that my hon. Friend will understand that with only a fortnight until the Budget, I do not intend to make any specific comments. None the less, I am grateful for his remarks.