Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Rushanara Ali Excerpts
Tuesday 11th October 2022

(2 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chris Philp Portrait The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Chris Philp)
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My hon. Friend is a tireless advocate for that and other projects in his constituency. I and perhaps colleagues from the Department for Transport would be delighted to meet him and his county council colleagues to discuss that important project.

Rushanara Ali Portrait Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab)
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The Chancellor was warned that unfunded tax cuts would force the Bank of England to increase rates and that is exactly what has happened. The Bank of England has said today that, in effect, the mini-Budget has caused a material risk to Britain’s financial stability. Can the Chancellor explain how people are supposed to pay their mortgages, which have gone up by £500 on average and £900 in London? What is he going to do about it, because it is not acceptable that his incompetence is risking people’s livelihoods?

Kwasi Kwarteng Portrait Kwasi Kwarteng
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I have two points to make on that. First, the Bank of England certainly did not say that the mini-Budget increased risk. Secondly, as rates are rising throughout the world, there is exposure. That is precisely why we thought that it was absolutely right to have the energy intervention, which is for two years—let us not forget that the Labour plan was for only six months —and to reduce the burden on people by reducing taxes.