Deputy Speaker's statement on policy announcements and the ministerial code. Ministerial statement on the Government's economic response to the war in Iran and actions to support families and businesses with rising costs.

Deputy Speaker's statement on policy announcements and the ministerial code. Ministerial statement on the Government's economic response to the war in Iran and actions to support families and businesses with rising costs.

Statement on the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and action taken in response to the conflict in the middle east.

Statement on the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and action taken in response to the conflict in the middle east.

Statement on the Government's continued response to the war in the middle east.

Statement on the Government's continued response to the war in the middle east.

Statement on the Government's preparedness and economic response to the conflict in the middle east.

Statement on the Government's preparedness and economic response to the conflict in the middle east.

Statement on the Spring Statement.

Statement on the Spring Statement.

Presentation and first reading (Bill 344). To be read a second time on 8 December.

Presentation and first reading (Bill 344). To be read a second time on 8 December.

Chairman of Ways and Means statement about the Ministerial Code and disclosure of fiscal policy by the Government and Office of Budget Responsibility outside of the House prior to the Budget statement. Budget statement 26 November 2025. Ways and means resolution. Agreed to on question.

Chairman of Ways and Means statement about the Ministerial Code and disclosure of fiscal policy by the Government and Office of Budget Responsibility outside of the House prior to the Budget statement. Budget statement 26 November 2025. Ways and means resolution. Agreed to on question.

Statement on the Spending Review 2025.

Statement on the Spending Review 2025.

Speaker's statement on the request from the Chancellor to make some brief comments about the global financial situation. Ministerial statement on the current economic situation.

Speaker's statement on the request from the Chancellor to make some brief comments about the global financial situation. Ministerial statement on the current economic situation.

Statement on the Spring Statement.

Statement on the Spring Statement.

Statement on UK-China economic and financial dialogue.

Statement on UK-China economic and financial dialogue.

Presentation and first reading (Bill 131).

Presentation and first reading (Bill 131).

Budget statement 30 October 2024. Ways and means resolution. Agreed to on question.

Budget statement 30 October 2024. Ways and means resolution. Agreed to on question.

Statement on public spending inheritance

Statement on public spending inheritance

Presentation and first reading (Bill 1).

Presentation and first reading (Bill 1).

At the Budget, the Chancellor set out his intention to abolish national insurance—a £46 billion annual commitment with no clear plan as to how it would be paid for. One way to do it would be to merge income tax and national insurance. Does the Chancellor agree with analysis from the House of Commons Library that shows that merging those two would increase income tax by 8p in the pound?

At the Budget, the Chancellor set out his intention to abolish national insurance—a £46 billion annual commitment with no clear plan as to how it would be paid for. One way to do it would be to merge income tax and national insurance. Does the Chancellor agree with analysis from the House of Commons Library that shows that merging those two would increase income tax by 8p in the pound?

That is strange, because the day after the Budget, the Chancellor told Sky News that

“you can end that unfairness of taxing work: you can merge income tax and national insurance.”

The late Chancellor, Nigel Lawson—the Prime Minister’s hero—warned that merging them would

“destroy the contributory principle and create many losers, especially among the elderly.”

In fact, a retired pensioner with an average occupational pension income of £198 a week would pay an additional £738 a year in tax. Is the reason that the Conservatives will not come clean not that they are planning to pick pensioners’ pockets to fund the abolition of national insurance?

That is strange, because the day after the Budget, the Chancellor told Sky News that

“you can end that unfairness of taxing work: you can merge income tax and national insurance.”

The late Chancellor, Nigel Lawson—the Prime Minister’s hero—warned that merging them would

“destroy the contributory principle and create many losers, especially among the elderly.”

In fact, a retired pensioner with an average occupational pension income of £198 a week would pay an additional £738 a year in tax. Is the reason that the Conservatives will not come clean not that they are planning to pick pensioners’ pockets to fund the abolition of national insurance?

The Chancellor did not even attempt to answer the question. The chair of the OBR told the Treasury Committee the week after the Budget:

“It was not a measure given to us to cost”.

Even the Chancellor’s predecessor, the right hon. Member for Spelthorne (Kwasi Kwarteng), who was sacked for his own kamikaze Budget, said, “If you’re going to

reduce taxes, you have to show at least partially where the money’s going to come from.” So I ask the Chancellor: where will the money come from? Will it come from cuts to the NHS, the state pension and public services? Will it come from increasing taxes, including for pensioners? Or will it come from increasing borrowing? Which one, Chancellor?

The Chancellor did not even attempt to answer the question. The chair of the OBR told the Treasury Committee the week after the Budget:

“It was not a measure given to us to cost”.

Even the Chancellor’s predecessor, the right hon. Member for Spelthorne (Kwasi Kwarteng), who was sacked for his own kamikaze Budget, said, “If you’re going to

reduce taxes, you have to show at least partially where the money’s going to come from.” So I ask the Chancellor: where will the money come from? Will it come from cuts to the NHS, the state pension and public services? Will it come from increasing taxes, including for pensioners? Or will it come from increasing borrowing? Which one, Chancellor?

After the Budget, the Chancellor wrote to Conservative party members telling them that the Government planned to abolish national insurance. The Economic Secretary said that “national insurance will vanish”, and the Prime Minister said it was his “ambition” to abolish it. Will the Chancellor confirm whether he asked the Office for Budget Responsibility to cost the Government’s unfunded plan to abolish national insurance contributions?

After the Budget, the Chancellor wrote to Conservative party members telling them that the Government planned to abolish national insurance. The Economic Secretary said that “national insurance will vanish”, and the Prime Minister said it was his “ambition” to abolish it. Will the Chancellor confirm whether he asked the Office for Budget Responsibility to cost the Government’s unfunded plan to abolish national insurance contributions?

Budget debate (second day). Motion that income tax is charged for the tax year 2024-25. Debate adjourned, to be resumed on 11 March.

Budget debate (second day). Motion that income tax is charged for the tax year 2024-25. Debate adjourned, to be resumed on 11 March.