Budget debate (second day). Motion that income tax is charged for the tax year 2027-28. Debate adjourned, to be resumed on 2 November

Budget debate (second day). Motion that income tax is charged for the tax year 2027-28. Debate adjourned, to be resumed on 2 November

That is not an answer!

That is not an answer!

I am proud to open this Budget debate on behalf of the Government, proud of the leadership of the Prime Minister and of the Chancellor, who is offering this country breathing space today and fresh hope for the future.

Before I turn to that, I need to talk about the threat...

I am proud to open this Budget debate on behalf of the Government, proud of the leadership of the Prime Minister and of the Chancellor, who is offering this country breathing space today and fresh hope for the future.

Before I turn to that, I need to talk about the threat...

They can shout all they like, Madam Deputy Speaker. The fact is that the former Chancellor restored the confidence of the markets after the Conservatives trashed Britain’s reputation with their catastrophic mini-Budget. She created the platform for our Labour Government to invest in public services, protect the most vulnerable, foster...

They can shout all they like, Madam Deputy Speaker. The fact is that the former Chancellor restored the confidence of the markets after the Conservatives trashed Britain’s reputation with their catastrophic mini-Budget. She created the platform for our Labour Government to invest in public services, protect the most vulnerable, foster...

I can absolutely confirm that thanks to the responsible choices made by the Chancellor and his predecessor, we have headroom to weather shocks, and the Chancellor is drawing on that. On capital budget reprioritisation across Government, it is absolutely true to say that across the Cabinet, Ministers have been willing...

I can absolutely confirm that thanks to the responsible choices made by the Chancellor and his predecessor, we have headroom to weather shocks, and the Chancellor is drawing on that. On capital budget reprioritisation across Government, it is absolutely true to say that across the Cabinet, Ministers have been willing...

But I look forward to the hon. Gentleman defending the indefensible.

But I look forward to the hon. Gentleman defending the indefensible.

I have just set that out. It is there in the Budget. The Government have reallocated from capital programmes across Government to ensure that defence is fully funded.

It is disappointing, Madam Deputy Speaker. This has become a running theme of the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition. When we...

I have just set that out. It is there in the Budget. The Government have reallocated from capital programmes across Government to ensure that defence is fully funded.

It is disappointing, Madam Deputy Speaker. This has become a running theme of the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition. When we...

I am trying to make my voice heard from the Dispatch Box, Madam Deputy Speaker.

As I have said from my first day as Defence Secretary, I trust this Chancellor to give us what we need to keep our country safe, and yesterday demonstrated why. His Budget proves why Labour can...

I am trying to make my voice heard from the Dispatch Box, Madam Deputy Speaker.

As I have said from my first day as Defence Secretary, I trust this Chancellor to give us what we need to keep our country safe, and yesterday demonstrated why. His Budget proves why Labour can...

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman wants to defend that record.

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman wants to defend that record.

I just do not know what the Opposition have to moan about. We came into government with the abysmal inheritance that we faced, and we chose straightaway to invest more in defence to clean up their mess. We have now gone even further than the NATO commitment of 3.5% by...

I just do not know what the Opposition have to moan about. We came into government with the abysmal inheritance that we faced, and we chose straightaway to invest more in defence to clean up their mess. We have now gone even further than the NATO commitment of 3.5% by...

In a moment. Just so that we are clear, we have gone from spending 2.3% of our GDP on defence when we came into office to spending 2.7% next year. It is very clear that we are on the right trajectory. That is not a record that they can speak...

In a moment. Just so that we are clear, we have gone from spending 2.3% of our GDP on defence when we came into office to spending 2.7% next year. It is very clear that we are on the right trajectory. That is not a record that they can speak...

Let’s find out—I give way to the right hon. Gentleman.

Let’s find out—I give way to the right hon. Gentleman.

I have been too generous with allowing interventions, but let me take that point head on. I think that is completely unfounded criticism—

I have been too generous with allowing interventions, but let me take that point head on. I think that is completely unfounded criticism—

I don’t care if he is the Chair of the Defence Committee. I would say it directly to him, and I am sure I will get the chance to say it to the entire Committee. It would be fair criticism if this Government had not already made decisions that are...

I don’t care if he is the Chair of the Defence Committee. I would say it directly to him, and I am sure I will get the chance to say it to the entire Committee. It would be fair criticism if this Government had not already made decisions that are...

indicated dissent.

indicated dissent.

What recent estimate he has made of the cost of the Nuclear Enterprise.

What recent estimate he has made of the cost of the Nuclear Enterprise.

What discussions he has had with the Chancellor of Exchequer on meeting the NATO target of spending 5 per cent of GDP on defence and national security.

What discussions he has had with the Chancellor of Exchequer on meeting the NATO target of spending 5 per cent of GDP on defence and national security.

Recent attacks on civilian airports in Riyadh underscore the importance of standing with our allies to protect innocent lives. Therefore, I am pleased to update the House today on the United Kingdom’s defensive military support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The United Kingdom has a longstanding defence and security partnership...

Recent attacks on civilian airports in Riyadh underscore the importance of standing with our allies to protect innocent lives. Therefore, I am pleased to update the House today on the United Kingdom’s defensive military support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The United Kingdom has a longstanding defence and security partnership...

Absolutely. My answer is the same as it was before, and the reason I could give that answer so confidently in my first week in office was because this Government are already delivering the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the cold war. The Chancellor resigned from the previous Government on a matter of principle. He is committed to invest more at the Budget, and he will set out the path to 3% and 3.5% at next year’s spending review. I trust the Chancellor a hell of a lot more than I trust the record of the previous Government, who under-invested in defence for more than a decade.

Absolutely. My answer is the same as it was before, and the reason I could give that answer so confidently in my first week in office was because this Government are already delivering the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the cold war. The Chancellor resigned from the previous Government on a matter of principle. He is committed to invest more at the Budget, and he will set out the path to 3% and 3.5% at next year’s spending review. I trust the Chancellor a hell of a lot more than I trust the record of the previous Government, who under-invested in defence for more than a decade.