Question
While the Budget provides some welcome support for high streets, so many businesses in Tiverton and Minehead tell me that excessive costs, regulation and red tape remain a drag on growth. Does the Minister agree that lasting economic growth will require not just short-term support but fundamental reform of business rates and tax administration so that businesses can invest, expand and create jobs with confidence?
Answer
I agree with some of the principles behind the hon. Lady’s comments. In addition to the breathing space that the Budget delivered, we are beginning work to help businesses and the economy to grow in the long run. She mentioned the importance of us cutting red tape and bureaucracy. Indeed, as I mentioned just a moment ago, we are cutting the regulatory admin burden on businesses by 25% by the end of this Parliament, which is critical to taking some of the pressures off businesses to allow them to invest, grow and succeed in their local communities.33% vibes
Verdict: RED (20/100)
The reply only partly addresses the question. On the first point, it opens noncommittally and offers a vague promise to begin work on long-run growth, without mentioning business rates or saying whether fundamental reform is needed. On the second point, it talks about cutting regulatory red tape by 25%, which is a different subject from tax administration, so it does not say whether the claim about tax administration is right or wrong. A member of the public would likely need to ask again for a clear position on both points.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the Minister agrees that lasting economic growth will require fundamental reform of business rates. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply opens with a noncommittal 'I agree with some of the principles' and then offers only a vague commitment to 'beginning work' on long-run growth, without mentioning business rates or saying whether fundamental reform is needed. |
| Whether the Minister agrees that lasting economic growth will require fundamental reform of tax administration. | Partially Addressed | Generic MISREADS QUESTION | The reply's concrete commitment to cut the regulatory admin burden on businesses by 25% concerns regulatory red tape rather than tax administration, so it is adjacent to the item but does not engage with tax administration reform or agree or disagree with the claim. |