Speeches by Tomlinson.

“At the Budget, we published further updates on our broader work to transform the business rates system. There are things that we want to look at—for example, a switch from a slab system to a slice system, which should support and encourage investment. As was confirmed by the Chancellor at the Budget, we have already ex…”

“On the point about 20p versus 5p, we legislated for a reduction in the multiplier of up to 20p for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, but that did not set an expectation that we would go that far; it set the bounds within which the Government could choose to operate. As the first step in our significant reform…”

“It is so wonderful to see so many Members on the Opposition Benches wishing to intervene. They were much less forthcoming in my previous closing remarks. I have given way to one Conservative, so I will give way to a Liberal Democrat.”

“A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of attending a Westminster Hall debate focused on farming and farmers in Northern Ireland. It was a good, productive debate, and I took away many of the points raised. The hon. Member will know that the Government have made a change to increase the threshold.”

“I am just going to respond to this point. For siblings, and for co-owners who are not spouses but who jointly own a farm—the example raised and that set out on the Government website—it is still the case that each individual has a £2.5 million allowance that they can use. That means that a farm that is jointly owned, e…”

“I will come shortly to the questions that the hon. Gentleman asked. The Liberal Democrat spokesperson, the hon. Member for Witney (Charlie Maynard), mentioned the costs of administrating the tax changes. Those costs were published in a tax impact and information note, alongside the changes: £9.2 million is the figure t…”

“I extend my thanks to hon. Members for their thoughtful contributions during this session in particular, which I appreciate has been a topic of discussion in public and in this place over a number of months. As I have said, the Government have been listening carefully to feedback from the farming community, family busi…”

“This is the normal way that inheritance tax assets are taxed. There is not just APR and BPR, and the changes coming in in April; other assets are passed on through inheritance. We are applying the same treatment here; this is the standard way that inheritance tax is set for various assets. As I was saying, these reform…”

“There were some forensic questions in that not brief intervention, but of course I appreciate it, and I look forward to trying to go through—[Interruption.] I am trying to answer the questions, okay? [Interruption.] It is a bit difficult when Opposition Front Benchers continue to barrack me while I am trying to answer …”

“The Government do support the farming sector and the farming industry. We will continue to do so through the funds that we will make available via DEFRA—funds that were not fully spent under the previous Government. We have listened to farming communities and business representatives, and raised the threshold from £1 m…”

“Go on, then. I will give way, but I was trying to make progress so that other Members could speak.”

“I am sure that Environment Ministers will continue to engage with farming unions and farming representatives. Both in the run-up to the Budget and subsequently, Treasury Ministers and those from other Departments have engaged with farmers, and we will continue to do so, to support farmers in a way that the previous Gov…”

“Given that the hon. Member called that debate, I will.”

“Conservative Members keep repeating, “14 months”. I should use that as an opportunity to remind people of the 14 wasted years that their party put farmers and rural communities through; of the trade deals that they implemented, which made life worse for our farmers and farming communities; and of the hundreds of millio…”

“I thank the hon. Member for raising the crofting sector and the rural communities that he represents. The Government will continue to do all we can to support different types of farmers, and to make sure that we can support tenant farmers too. I thank him for raising that point and for the representation that he provid…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for her continued interest in this area; she is a strong representative for the rural communities that she represents in the north-west of our country. I am sure that colleagues in DEFRA, including the Secretary of State and others, will be working hard to make sure that the funds that this Gover…”

“As we come to the final group in today’s Committee stage on the Bill, I am pleased to open this important debate on clause 62, schedule 12 and the many associated amendments. As reiterated throughout the day, the Bill delivers on the choices made at this Government’s two Budgets. It delivers fair and necessary reforms …”

“That information will be forthcoming in due course. In conclusion, I hope that Members will see how the amendments that have been tabled are not necessary. We have set out the impact of our tax changes in numerous tax impact and information notes, which Members can read online at their leisure. This Government and I wi…”

“As the Chancellor has set out—more detail will follow later this year—those whose only income is the basic or new state pension, without any increments, will not have to pay income tax over this Parliament. I am aware that Members would like to see more detail, but it would be premature for us to set out the impacts of…”

“Many Members wish to intervene. I will happily give way to the hon. Member for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire (Mike Wood).”