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Finance Bill

I do not accept the proposition—[Interruption.] It is always a pleasure to welcome the hon. Gentleman to the debate, but it is interesting to see him joining those who are defending the poor. In last year's debate, the spokesman for the Conservatives, the hon. Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs. Villiers), commented on the proposals put forward by the Liberal Democrats that the 10p income tax band should be replaced by a 0 per cent. tax band. She said:"““Our primary concern about them is that they have not been properly costed, so it would not be fiscally responsible to vote in favour of them.””—[Official Report, 30 April 2007; Vol. 459, c. 1276.]" I put it to the House that it would be fiscally irresponsible to unpick the package presented in this Finance Bill; we cannot do it. However, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor has made it clear that he understands the concerns expressed and that we want to do more to help many of those who do not benefit from the package. The Conservative party likes to say and has said—though I was quite surprised to hear Conservative Members say it—that we have lost our moral way and that the moral compass of the Government has lost its direction. In that context, let me say this. When I was elected in 1992, one in four men aged 25 and over in my constituency were unemployed, yet unemployment in this country is now almost a thing of the past, particularly among the young people I represent in my constituency. Even if we had not fixed unemployment, or even if we had addressed only the scourge of unemployment and not built the schools and hospitals and not put in the investment in public services that we have, I would still be incredibly proud to be taking forward a Finance Bill on behalf of this Government, who have achieved so much. I hope that the House will support the Government in these measures, which we will take forward next week. Question put, That the Bill be now read a Second time:— The House divided: Ayes 298, Noes 223.