Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tom Brake and Danny Alexander

Tuesday 24th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)]

2. What fiscal steps he is taking to encourage investment and growth in the manufacturing sector.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Danny Alexander)]

The Government have taken a number of steps to support manufacturing industry, including: reducing corporation tax rates, with the main rate falling to 22% by 2014, which is the lowest in the G7; introducing a new above-the-line credit to support research and development in the UK; and introducing the patent box to reduce tax on profits from patents.

[Tom Brake]

Was the Chief Secretary as shocked as I was to hear the shadow Chief Secretary say on “Newsnight” that she opposed the coalition Government’s corporation tax cuts? Will he set out what particular measures could help businesses such as Monument Tools, a manufacturer of tools in my constituency that is able to compete with Chinese competitors?

[Danny Alexander]

I was indeed shocked to hear the shadow Chief Secretary say on “Newsnight” that she opposed the cut in corporation tax. I would have thought that the Labour party would welcome such a measure, as it is designed to increase investment in British businesses and support economic growth—that is something that Labour Members say they want to see. The constituency firm to which my right hon. Friend refers could benefit from the national loan guarantee scheme and the credit easing scheme that the Chancellor announced at the Budget, and it could participate in the advanced manufacturing supply chain initiative, which the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has announced, whereby £125 million is being spent to help manufacturers improve their performance.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tom Brake and Danny Alexander

Tuesday 12th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)]

T10. When the Chancellor and the Chief Secretary consider how to address the huge budget deficit they inherited from Labour, will they not lose sight of the importance of investing in affordable housing, specifically to ensure that homes meet the decent homes standard?

[Danny Alexander]

My hon. Friend makes a very important point. We will make decisions on spending and announce them on 20 October in the spending review statement. The point he makes is important, and I very much take it to heart.

Public Spending

Debate between Tom Brake and Danny Alexander

Thursday 17th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

As I said in my statement, spending Departments will make announcements themselves about the projects that have been approved.

[Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)]

I had hoped to hear the words “better health care closer to home” and “St Helier hospital” in the Chief Secretary’s statement. Can he update us on the position in relation to that hospital project?

[Danny Alexander]

We have considered a number of hospital projects against affordability and value for money criteria. It has been agreed that the Epsom and St Helier, Royal Liverpool, Royal National Orthopaedic and Pennine acute hospital schemes will go ahead.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tom Brake and Danny Alexander

Tuesday 8th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)]

T2. While the Chancellor is reviewing the projects agreed by the previous Government since 1 January, may I commend to him the Better Healthcare Closer to Home programme and the plans that it has for St Helier hospital? May it draw it to his attention that the plans were very enthusiastically endorsed by the new Secretary of State for Health when he visited my constituency just a couple of days before the general election?

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Danny Alexander)]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his question and pay tribute to his assiduous campaigning on the issue over many years. He will know that we are carefully reassessing the projects agreed by the previous Government between 1 January and the election, and we will make an announcement shortly. He will also know that it is right that we are making sure that each and every one of the many projects that were announced is affordable and represents value for money.