Speeches by Murphy.

“Does the Minister want to intervene on that point? No? I am sure he will elucidate that in good time. Austen’s enduring cultural impact is felt not only on a global scale, but powerfully at a local level, where it continues to shape and enrich Basingstoke’s vibrant film and arts scene. From the literary legacy of Jane …”

“I am sure that Austen would agree and, as we do not have a sea coast in Steventon, that she may have admired the hon. Gentleman’s area more than most. Local children in Steventon still climb the old lime tree where Jane and her brother once played more than two centuries ago—a living reminder of the world that helped t…”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered the cultural contribution of Jane Austen. It is a delight to serve under your chairship, Mr Efford. I am really grateful to have been granted this opportunity to recognise and celebrate the legacy of one of our nation’s greatest authors, if not the greatest: Jane Austen. Ma…”

“Chancellor, you have pointed to the productivity downgrade as a result of the record of the previous Government. Would you have made different choices in this Budget if not for that downgrade? If so, which ones?”

“Chancellor, for the vast majority of my constituents, the top priority is the cost of living. Both you and the Prime Minister have made it clear that it is a top priority for the Government as well. Evidence to the Committee from both the OBR and the Resolution Foundation shows that there has been relatively strong gro…”

“Do you anticipate having to come back, in future Budgets, to take similar measures on the cost of living? Is that something that you would expect, given the outlook for living standards that the OBR and you just now have recognised?”

“Chancellor, can you set out how the capital allowance changes in the Budget will increase investment and growth, given that tax specialists like Dan Neidle have said that they believe the changes will do the opposite?”

“The first-year discount does not apply to second-hand assets, but only to leasing, so—”

“Will the right hon. Member give way?”

“The OBR told the Treasury Committee, on which I sit, that the narrative that the Chancellor set out on 4 November was consistent with the forecast at that time. When the OBR made that point, was it right or wrong? Are you questioning what the OBR said?”

“Will the hon. Gentleman give way?”

“Are the underlying things that you are pointing to, and that we discussed a moment ago, unique to the UK?”

“Since the pandemic, Governments have been trying to solve a unique participation crisis, so-called, in the UK, but your latest report suggests that it has now returned to the pre-pandemic trend. We know that ONS data in this area is not particularly reliable, so is the crisis over or was it never really there?”

“Is there any particular policy to which you would attribute that slowdown?”

“You mentioned the pandemic and young people. Has the Bank made an assessment of what the drivers of that economic activity are?”

“Have you any observations or analysis on the movements in the gilt market since the Budget and how it has landed?”

“I will ask questions about the labour market. Employment and unemployment are faring worse than the central projection in the MPR. Ms Lombardelli, are you concerned about the downside risks for both activity and employment?”

“Would you like to see the OBR using some of those alternative measures and producing them in the forecast documents?”

“What do you make of the redistributive nature of the budget? Was it redistributive?”

“To unpick it a bit, it incorporates housing costs and imputed rents. It is a measure that incorporates housing costs and does not do it after housing costs, as others do. I think that you model it, as does the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Is that not a better reflection of people’s living standards? The projection on th…”