Speeches by Tomlinson.

“My hon. Friend is right to say that we are seeing a continued uptake of electric vehicles—we saw that in March this year. More electric vehicles were purchased in March than in any month in British history, and we can see that take-up is continuing to increase. This Government are increasing and expanding the grants fo…”

“I am glad that the hon. Gentleman acknowledges that while Margaret Thatcher was in power she was taxing such businesses through business property relief more than this Labour Government. We have a fair and balanced approach when it comes to making sure that we can raise revenues from the very largest businesses, includ…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I am aware of the issue that he raises; I have met representatives of the sector in recent weeks to discuss it. It follows changes to case law over recent years, but it is of course an important issue that affects many businesses. I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discu…”

“The reforms to business property relief maintain significant relief for owners of business assets. That is beyond what is available to others and is more generous than at any time under Margaret Thatcher, for example, when the rate of relief was a maximum of 50% on all business assets, including the first £2.5 million.…”

“I agree with the right hon. Member that Reform’s rabble yesterday was deeply underwhelming. As for fuel duty, the rate is currently lower than it was at any point under the last Government, or, at least, it was never lower under the last Government than it is now. In real terms, it is lower than it has been at any poin…”

“Before the conflict in Iran started we saw inflation falling, we saw unemployment falling and we saw growth increasing by 0.5% in one month at the start of the year. That showed that our economic plan was the right plan for this country, and it is important that we stick to it rather than returning to the bad old days …”

“I am not an expert on the differences in the health impacts, and I trust my hon. Friend’s expertise and experience in this space. However, the chief medical officer is clear that there are still health impacts, and he supports the changes we have made. It is worth highlighting that, although the vaping products duty wi…”

“My hon. Friend makes an important point. The emergence of vapes in recent years has provided people up and down the country with a route away from smoking. That is to be welcomed. At the same time, the chief medical officer is right to highlight the risks and health impacts associated with vaping, although they may be …”

“I thank the Opposition spokesmen for their questions and continued scrutiny of this important new measure that the Government are introducing to support our vaping products duty. I am satisfied that the timelines are appropriate: registration opened on 1 April, giving businesses six months to apply. As I mentioned, pro…”

“Committee rose.”

“I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Vaping Duty Stamps (Requirements, Reviews and Appeals) Regulations 2026. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. The draft regulations make provision for when vaping products must and must not bear a duty stamp, and ensure that decisions made in…”

“Committee rose.”

“I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Major Sporting Events (Income Tax Exemption) (Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games) Regulations 2026. It is a pleasure to appear before you today, Sir Alec. The draft regulations provide an income tax exemption for non-UK resident competitors, officials and certain …”

“I spent four weeks deliberating on whether to put out that video and I deeply regret the decision to do so. As ever, the shadow Exchequer Secretary asked important and pertinent questions. He asked why the dates do not align with those of the games. That is because many athletes will not be here for those precise dates…”

“I thank all Members for their contributions and questions. It is fantastic that the city of my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow East will host the Commonwealth games again. They were a great success for the country and for countries throughout the Commonwealth last time they were held in that great city. I know that …”

“The EVED charge is on electric cars because they do not pay fuel duty. Petrol cars do pay fuel duty, which, because it is on a litre of petrol, is a charge that is determined by how much someone drives. The hon. Member for Brighton Pavilion (Siân Berry) made some good points about public transport. I congratulate her o…”

“I will come on to talk about fuel duty; I was just setting out the context at the opening of my speech. The Government’s approach is to focus squarely on the British national interest and the economic interests of British households. The Opposition have clearly taken a different approach, choosing instead at times to e…”

“indicated assent.”

“My hon. Friend is right: the Opposition are totally on the wrong side of common-sense public opinion in this country. On the most important of tests, they have failed. He is also right to point out that the fuel duty increase is pencilled in for September, as the Chancellor set out in last year’s Budget. I think it is …”

“I thank hon. Members for their contributions throughout the debate. I thank the hon. Member for Mid Buckinghamshire (Greg Smith) in particular for his winding-up, as well as the Tory Whips for giving me the opportunity to remind the House of his support for Liz Truss as PM. My Parliamentary Private Secretary, my hon. F…”