Spring Statement Debate

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Department: HM Treasury
Wednesday 26th March 2025

(1 week ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rachel Reeves Portrait Rachel Reeves
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The world has changed, and we can see that all around us, which is why our defence is more important than other things. That is why it is so astonishing that the SNP continues to oppose the nuclear deterrent.

Preet Kaur Gill Portrait Preet Kaur Gill (Birmingham Edgbaston) (Lab/Co-op)
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I commend the Chancellor for her statement. Does she agree that the Conservative party does not understand the link between its total failure to build houses and infrastructure, which our constituents desperately want, and the economic constraints that we face today?

Rachel Reeves Portrait Rachel Reeves
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My hon. Friend speaks powerfully on behalf of her constituents in Birmingham. We need to build the homes that all our constituents are crying out for. The level of home ownership declined under the previous Government and we are determined to turn that around, as well as to build the affordable and social houses that our country needs. As we build those homes, there will be more good jobs for young people who take pride in their work. Those good jobs, which will pay decent wages, will be backed by the increase in the national living wage and by our Employment Rights Bill.