To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he received from existing large public-sector contractors before deciding to remove VAT charges for private-sector bidders on public-sector contracts.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he received from existing large public-sector contractors before deciding to remove VAT charges for private-sector bidders on public-sector contracts.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of removing VAT charges for private-sector bidders on public-sector contracts on drives to increase off-the-shelf ICT purchasing.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of removing VAT charges for private-sector bidders on public-sector contracts on drives to increase off-the-shelf ICT purchasing.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much in VAT revenue accrued to the public purse from the Severn Crossings tolls in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2012-13.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much in VAT revenue accrued to the public purse from the Severn Crossings tolls in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2012-13.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to exempt community groups, charities and other not-for-profit organisations from the requirement to pay VAT on the installation of government-funded high-speed broadband cabinets; and if he will make a statement.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to exempt community groups, charities and other not-for-profit organisations from the requirement to pay VAT on the installation of government-funded high-speed broadband cabinets; and if he will make a statement.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much VAT was refunded under COS14 rules in each of the last three financial years.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much VAT was refunded under COS14 rules in each of the last three financial years.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the performance of HM Revenue and Customs against its targets on the processing and completion of corporate VAT returns.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the performance of HM Revenue and Customs against its targets on the processing and completion of corporate VAT returns.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average length of time was for a decision to be made by HM Revenue and Customs related to a business VAT return in each year since 2010.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average length of time was for a decision to be made by HM Revenue and Customs related to a business VAT return in each year since 2010.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many VAT-registered property rental companies there were in each year since May 2010.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many VAT-registered property rental companies there were in each year since May 2010.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many VAT-registered property rental companies there were in each year since May 2010.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many VAT-registered property rental companies there were in each year since May 2010.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have (1) to afford sixth form colleges the same funding protection as schools in any future spending allocation, and (2) to allow sixth form colleges zero VAT on new capital programmes as currently applies to the school sector.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have (1) to afford sixth form colleges the same funding protection as schools in any future spending allocation, and (2) to allow sixth form colleges zero VAT on new capital programmes as currently applies to the school sector.

Before speaking to clauses 66 and 67 and new clause 1, may I first say what a great pleasure it is to serve under your chairmanship, Dame Dawn? This is the last of a great number of Finance Bills in which you have played one role or another, and I...

Before speaking to clauses 66 and 67 and new clause 1, may I first say what a great pleasure it is to serve under your chairmanship, Dame Dawn? This is the last of a great number of Finance Bills in which you have played one role or another, and I...

Let me first say that I fully associate myself with the remarks that the Prime Minister has just made about the victims of infected blood. We undertake today to act on those recommendations as well. I also join the Prime Minister in offering my condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the devastating plane crash yesterday, especially remembering the three British victims. Our thoughts are with all the victims, their families and their friends.

On Monday, the Prime Minister announced his retirement plans. He said that it was because he believed in giving straight answers to straight questions. After five years of Prime Minister’s questions, that was music to my ears. So here is a straight question: will he now rule out a rise in VAT?

Let me first say that I fully associate myself with the remarks that the Prime Minister has just made about the victims of infected blood. We undertake today to act on those recommendations as well. I also join the Prime Minister in offering my condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the devastating plane crash yesterday, especially remembering the three British victims. Our thoughts are with all the victims, their families and their friends.

On Monday, the Prime Minister announced his retirement plans. He said that it was because he believed in giving straight answers to straight questions. After five years of Prime Minister’s questions, that was music to my ears. So here is a straight question: will he now rule out a rise in VAT?

In 43 days’ time, I plan to arrange the right hon. Gentleman’s retirement. But he is right: straight questions deserve straight answers, and the answer is yes.

In 43 days’ time, I plan to arrange the right hon. Gentleman’s retirement. But he is right: straight questions deserve straight answers, and the answer is yes.

I have here a cutting from The Press in York on 24 April 2010, which says:

“David Cameron last night dismissed claims the Tories would put up VAT if they win the election”.

That was at the last election. Why should the public believe promises that he makes at the coming election?

I have here a cutting from The Press in York on 24 April 2010, which says:

“David Cameron last night dismissed claims the Tories would put up VAT if they win the election”.

That was at the last election. Why should the public believe promises that he makes at the coming election?

I have given the straightest possible answer, and this time in government we know what needs to be done—we know the changes, and both sides of this House have voted for a £30 billion adjustment. Those on the Labour Front Bench voted for it too. We have set out what needs to happen with departmental spending, welfare and tax avoidance. The Labour party has said that half of the £30 billion must be raised in taxes, so we know it: there is a tax bombshell coming from Labour, and it is going to be, we learned today, a jobs tax bombshell. They wanted to do it before the last election, and they want to do it after the next election. It would wreck our economy and put up taxes for working people, and there is only one group of people who can stop it.

I have given the straightest possible answer, and this time in government we know what needs to be done—we know the changes, and both sides of this House have voted for a £30 billion adjustment. Those on the Labour Front Bench voted for it too. We have set out what needs to happen with departmental spending, welfare and tax avoidance. The Labour party has said that half of the £30 billion must be raised in taxes, so we know it: there is a tax bombshell coming from Labour, and it is going to be, we learned today, a jobs tax bombshell. They wanted to do it before the last election, and they want to do it after the next election. It would wreck our economy and put up taxes for working people, and there is only one group of people who can stop it.

To ask the Prime Minister, if, during the discussions of the effect on UK micro-businesses of EU digital VAT legislation since its implementation on 1 January 2015 at the March 2015 European Council meeting in Brussels, he will negotiate for a derogation for micro-businesses; if he will publish details of...

To ask the Prime Minister, if, during the discussions of the effect on UK micro-businesses of EU digital VAT legislation since its implementation on 1 January 2015 at the March 2015 European Council meeting in Brussels, he will negotiate for a derogation for micro-businesses; if he will publish details of...

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much revenue is protected by applying the EU VAT place of supply rules to micro businesses and sole traders which operate under the UK VAT threshold.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much revenue is protected by applying the EU VAT place of supply rules to micro businesses and sole traders which operate under the UK VAT threshold.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent representations his Department has received on the level of VAT applicable to small tourist businesses.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent representations his Department has received on the level of VAT applicable to small tourist businesses.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether parking notices (a) constitute taxable supply and (b) are subject to VAT.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether parking notices (a) constitute taxable supply and (b) are subject to VAT.