On Wednesday 8 May 2024, the House of Commons considered the Finance (No.2) Bill in a Committee of the Whole House. The Bill implements a number of tax changes, including those announced at the Spring Budget on 6 March. Key measures in the Bill include a trigger to end the windfall tax early under certain market conditions where profits decrease, changes to child benefit eligibility, tax reliefs for the creative sector and changes to property taxation. I did not oppose the Bill at its Second Reading in April.  I consider it shows that the Government still has no plan for growth to get the UK out of recession, is still raising taxes on working people, and will oversee the biggest hit to living standards on record.

I supported several efforts to address concerns I have with the Bill and the Government’s record on tax. I am concerned, for example, that the tax burden on working people and pensioners is rising as a result of freezes in the income tax personal allowance and the higher rate threshold from 2021-22 to 2027-28. These freezes will create 3.7 million extra taxpayers by 2028-29, as well as meaning that 2.7 million more people will be paying the higher rate. I therefore supported a new clause that would have required a review of how many people will be liable to pay income tax at 20% and 40%, comparing figures for the current tax year with those for the three preceding and three subsequent tax years. I also supported a new clause requiring a review of how many pensioners will be liable to pay income tax this year and in each of the next three years, and what the average pensioner’s tax bill will be in each of those years. Unfortunately, these clauses were both defeated. In addition, we need to provide stability and certainty on corporation tax, by capping the headline rate at 25% of the whole of the next Parliament. I also consider we need to strengthen the windfall tax on oil and gas companies raise more revenue to support the UK’s energy transition, while offering as much certainty as possible to the affected companies by ensuring it ends by the end of the next Parliament. I supported new clauses addressing these issues, but unfortunately they were also defeated.

Consideration of the Bill will continue in Committee.

New Clause NC1  I voted in favour and the results was: Ayes: 211 Noes: 276 
New Clause NC4  I voted in favour and the results was: Ayes: 212 Noes: 274 
New Clause NC2  I voted in favour and the results was: Ayes: 195 Noes: 266
New Clause NC3  I voted in favour and the results was: Ayes: 198 Noes: 269

The Committee had gone through the Bill (Clauses 1 to 4, Clauses 12 and 13 and Clause 19) and made no amendments.

Bill (Clauses 1 to 4, Clauses 12 and 13, and Clause 19) to lie upon the Table.

Derbyshire Day was celebrated with many small businesses who brought their products to the Jubilee Room in the House of Commons on Wednesday 8 May 2024. The event was organised by Pauline Latham MP. I was delighted to sample home made ice cream by the Bluebells Dairy.  It was delicious. Like all farms they diversified during Covid and have placed their product in mostly National Trust properties in Derbyshire. They hope to expand. The farm is also open for visits. 

Bluebells Dairy website https://bluebelldairy.co.uk/

 

 

 

On Wednesday 8 May 2024 with a 9.30am start,  I chaired the Westminster Hall Debate on  Recognition of Western Sahara as Moroccan and the motion was moved by  Daniel Kawczynski MP member for Shrewsbury and Atcham. 

"That this House has considered Government policy on the recognition of Western Sahara as Moroccan".  Minister David Rutley replied on behalf of the FCDO.

I also Chaired a second Debate on a motion Road Safety and headlight Glare proposed by Martin Vickers MP Cleethorps and the response was from Minister Anthony Browne MP.  

 

I chaired the debate at Westminster Hall on the 25 April 2024. This was an interesting debate more so because I have received a lot of emails from constituents. The Government's position was set out during the debate:

The UK was one of the very first to sign the agreement, on 20 September 2023, the day it opened for signature at the UN—we were at the front of the queue. We want to ensure that it comes into force as quickly as possible. Globally, that will take several steps to achieve: 60 states or regional economic integration organisations must become party to the agreement, and 120 days must pass after deposit of the 60th instrument of ratification before it can enter into force. The first conference of the parties will then be able to meet within a year of that date. The agreement has gained 89 signatures and four ratifications so far. Realistically, we expect that the first conference should be able to meet in late 2026. We intend for the UK to be there as a party to the agreement, and we are making timely progress towards that end, as well as, importantly, helping others to do similarly.

 

 

Although I welcomed the introduction of this long overdue Bill, I remain of the opinion that it is not fit for purpose. It contains numerous defects, deficiencies, omissions and loopholes that would allow the minority of disreputable landlords to exploit tenants and jeopardise their security of tenure. It still needs strengthening for the benefit of renters.  Amendments 14 and 255 were tabled to the Renters (Reform) Bill at Report Stage. They sought to extend the period before a tenant could face eviction should a landlord choose to sell or move back in, and to give tenants more time to move out in such circumstances. However, they were not voted upon and therefore will not form part of the Bill going forward. I was opposed to the Government’s New Clause 15, as in my opinion, there is no compelling rationale for it. Unfortunately, it passed with the support of Government MPs. The amendment stops tenants giving notice to quit a tenancy within the first six months, meaning that they will remain liable for six months’ rent in all circumstances.

The Government has said it will consider exemptions to the fixed initial letting period in serious circumstances, such as domestic abuse, death of a tenant or serious hazard in the property. However, I am concerned that nothing in the new clause as drafted, guarantees that any such exemptions will ultimately be made, or what they would look like in practice. More widely, I want to see measures to fix the housing market, delivering the biggest boost to affordable, social, and council housing for a generation. This includes restoring local housing targets and reconsidering planning rules to build 1.5 million homes within a five-year period. We need to fundamentally reform the private rented sector to tilt the balance of power towards renters and make renting fairer, more secure, and more affordable.

New Clause NC15 accordingly read a second time. New Clause NC15 added to the Bill. - I voted against and the result was: Ayes: 283 Noes: 143 

New Clause NC30 the Clause be read a second time, accordingly read a second time, added to the Bill - I voted against and the results was: Ayes: 287 Noes: 144

Amendment 28 be made, Question put, That the Amendment be made. I voted for and the results was: Ayes: 158 Noes: 282

Renters (Reform) Bill: Third Reading

Bill was read the third time and passed.