Autumn Statement Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Autumn Statement

Stephen Timms Excerpts
Wednesday 22nd November 2023

(1 year ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jeremy Hunt Portrait Jeremy Hunt
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I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his sterling work as a Minister. When it comes to pollution in the River Wye, he will know that the Government have made changes requiring the water companies to invest more than £50 billion in the years ahead, but he, like me, wants to see faster progress and I will happily give him any support I can.

Stephen Timms Portrait Sir Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab)
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I welcome the Chancellor’s announcement on benefit uprating. It is not, as he claimed, a mark of compassion but it is at least delivering the essential minimum, and I congratulate the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on achieving that. For the past three years, the household support fund has enabled local councils to provide an important safety net for families facing the greatest hardship. Will there be a household support fund next year?

Jeremy Hunt Portrait Jeremy Hunt
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Yes, there will.