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National Insurance Contributions Bill

I shall crack on, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I am not quite aware of the hon. Gentleman's figures. In my constituency, spending per head is £5,800, whereas in Scotland it is £8,200. I would be happy to have that debate with him at a later date. The Financial Secretary said that pensioners are so much better off under this Government. If so, why are they so cheesed off in Broxbourne? Very few pensioners to whom I talk have anything good to say about the Government. Many have seen their standard of living decrease because council tax has gone up due to underfunding from the Treasury and the cost of fuel has gone up. The Government are being a little disingenuous when they say that pensioners are better off than they have ever been. I am not sure that that is the case. Do not take my word for it; go and ask the pensioners. With that, I wish you all a very merry Christmas and I shall see your smiling faces in January.