Skip to main content

Treasury

Volume 730: debated on Wednesday 22 March 2023

Topical Questions

The following is an extract from Topical Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 21 March 2023.

T9.   OBR analysis of last week’s Budget has shown that there will be no real-terms growth in public services in 2023-24 and just 1% in 2024-25. Given the recent Patriotic Millionaires UK survey showing that more than seven in 10 millionaires want to have a fair tax on their wealth—by wealth, we are talking about £10 million of investable assets—will the Chancellor look at this? (904240)

What I say to the hon. Lady, whom I greatly respect, is that we did a lot for public services in the autumn statement, including a £3 billion increase in the annual schools budget and an £8 billion increase in the annual health and care budget. We are always focusing on public services, and we do support a progressive tax system.

[Official Report, 21 March 2023, Vol. 730, c. 157.]

Letter of correction from the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Jeremy Hunt).

An error has been identified in the response I gave to the hon. Member for Oldham East and Saddleworth (Debbie Abrahams).

The correct response should have been:

What I say to the hon. Lady, whom I greatly respect, is that we did a lot for public services in the autumn statement, including a £2.3 billion increase in the annual schools budget and an £8 billion increase in the annual health and care budget. We are always focusing on public services, and we do support a progressive tax system.