Charter for Budget Responsibility Debate

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Department: HM Treasury
Wednesday 26th March 2014

(10 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Robert Halfon Portrait Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con)
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Will my right hon. Friend give way?

George Osborne Portrait Mr Osborne
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We will explore that point later, but let me take my hon. Friend’s intervention.

Robert Halfon Portrait Robert Halfon
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Is my right hon. Friend aware that a person on average wages pays roughly £1,200 a year in taxation just to pay the welfare bill, not including pensions? Does he agree that the welfare cap is fair on lower earners?

George Osborne Portrait Mr Osborne
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It is absolutely fair. That is what the cap is about—building a welfare system that is fair to those who need it and fair to those who pay for it.