Goldsworthy quizzes Kennedy on the 10p tax rate

2.12.44pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 22nd Jul 2008

• 'WILL he also take into consideration the other issues, besides the changes to the 10p rate, that are affecting the losers?'

[Jul 01] Julia Goldsworthy (Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Department for Communities and Local Government; Falmouth & Camborne, Liberal Democrat): The Minister has just said that the Chancellor will return to this issue in the pre-Budget report. Will he also take into consideration the other issues, besides the changes to the 10p rate, that are affecting the losers? I was contacted today by a constituent who feels that she has been hit by a double whammy, because she will also lose out as a result of the switch from housing benefit to housing allowance. Can the Minister give me an assurance that all these cross-cutting issues will be looked into when the Chancellor returns to this matter in the pre-Budget report?

Jane Kennedy (Financial Secretary, HM Treasury; Liverpool, Wavertree, Labour): At the beginning of the debate, I said that my making a short introduction would enable Back-Bench colleagues to make a longer contribution, to which I could respond in more detail at the end of the debate. I would hope to give the hon. Lady the reassurances that she is asking for, and I can assure the House that this work is ongoing. It is not a matter that Ministers have set aside. It is a serious matter, and I acknowledge the way in which amendments on the issue-many of which will be debated today-have been put forward.