Financial Statement Debate

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Department: HM Treasury
Wednesday 23rd March 2022

(2 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rishi Sunak Portrait Rishi Sunak
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I am pleased that, because of the actions of Conservative-led Governments since 2010, the state pension is £2,000 higher today; 700 of that is specifically because of the triple lock. That shows that this Government are on the side of pensioners.

Tommy Sheppard Portrait Tommy Sheppard (Edinburgh East) (SNP)
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The Chancellor is proposing to cut the value of state social security payments by at least 4% and putting up tax rates for those on average and below-average incomes, yet he refuses even to countenance asking those who have extreme wealth, or the corporations that are making obscene profits, to pay a little more. Is not the truth, Chancellor, that this is just a plan to increase inequality in the United Kingdom?

Rishi Sunak Portrait Rishi Sunak
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We are asking companies—especially large successful companies—to pay more. That was announced last year and legislated for, and it will come into force next year. The corporation tax rate will rise from 19% to 25% to ensure that we do spread the burden fairly in recovering from coronavirus.