Oral Answers to Questions

Philip Hollobone Excerpts

Wednesday 15th May 2013 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Crabb]

The hon. Gentleman is exactly right as well. The response from public officials in Wales at all levels—Welsh Government, local authorities and within Public Health Wales—has been exemplary. They have done everything right so far, but we need to get the message out to the communities affected that parents with children not yet vaccinated urgently need to get them vaccinated.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

4. What discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the effects on the economy in Wales of the Government’s fiscal policies.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones)]

I have regular discussions with the Welsh Government on economic issues. Action taken by the Government to deal with the deficit has helped keep interest rates at near record lows, helping families and businesses across Wales.

[Mr Hollobone]

How many people in Wales have seen their personal tax-free income tax allowances increase since May 2010, and how many small businesses in Wales are set to benefit from the new £2,000 national insurance employment allowance being introduced next April?

[Mr Jones]

The increase in the personal allowance announced by the Government will benefit 1.1 million taxpayers and remove 130 individuals from paying income tax altogether. More than 35,000 businesses in Wales will benefit from the national insurance employment allowance, with 20,000 of them being taken out of national insurance altogether.