From: Greg Hands MP news@greghands.comSubject: News Bulletin from Greg Hands MP #459

Date: 14 April 2016 at 12:48To: news@greghands.com

In this edition:

Greg Hands MPs Diary Website of the Week:Back Zac 2016 Hands in Parliament:Greg Hands speech on theconclusion of the Budgetdebate New State Pension set todeliver dignity in retirementfor people across Chelsea& Fulham Photo news:Kensington, Chelsea andFulham ConservativesAGM Businesses across Chelsea& Fulham receive boost astax changes kick in Greg Hands MP respondsto Crossrail 2 ConsultationReport Photo news:Jacob Rees-Mogg MP inFulham Greg Hands welcomesprogress on National Gridworks on the King's Road 7 ways to contact Greg Hands

Issue 459 - Thursday 14th April 2016

Since the last edition, Greg:

Made the concluding speech of the 4-day Budget debate forthe Government in the House of Commons. For Gregs speech,see below.Attended and addressed the Annual General Meeting of theKensington, Chelsea & Fulham Conservatives, held at StColumbas Church, Belgravia. For photo, see below.Joined members of the Cabinet in a special telephonecanvassing session to support the candidature of ZacGoldsmith as Mayor of London.Attended and introduced guest speaker Jacob Rees-Mogg at aspecial event of the Hammersmith Conservatives, held inFulham.Met a small delegation of constituents who are Thalidomidesurvivors, who Greg is supporting in their ongoing quest forjustice from the German government in relation to the inquiryinto the scandal in the 1960s.Welcomed Deputy Leader of Stoke City Council, Cllr AliBrown, to the Commons for a discussion on devolution in theMidlands and the North.Held a constituency surgery (generally weekly) at FulhamLibrary. To make an appointment for one of Gregs advicesurgeries, please email help@greghands.com or telephone020 7219 5448.

Website of the Week:www.backzac2016.com The website of Zac Goldsmith, Conservative Candidate for Mayorof London.

Hands in Parliament:Greg Hands speech on the conclusion ofthe Budget debate Tuesday 22nd March 2016

Click on the image above to watch Greg's speech. The full text of the speech: The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Greg Hands): May I associatemyself with the comments made by the Chancellor, Members on bothFront Benches and many Back Benchers about the terrible terroristoutrages in Brussels this morning? I remind everybody that we standshoulder to shoulder with the people of Belgium, as we in this countryhave done many times before against the scourge of terrorism.The past four days of this debate have certainly been lively. I want tolook back not just four days, but more than six years. Let us cast ourminds back to six years ago, in 2010, when the whole world doubtedthe UKs ability to pay its way. Now the UK is forecast to grow fasterthan any other major advanced economy in the world. Six years ago, we were borrowing 25p out of every 1 that we spentalmost 6,000 per household per annum. Now that figure is down to10p, and will be 7p next year. Six years ago our deficit was more than10% of GDP. Now we are three years away from building that surplus.Our economy is a full 12.6% bigger than it was in 2010 when my righthon. Friend delivered his first Budget. Our foreign exchange reserveshave doubled, and every day has seen an average of 1,000 jobscreated. Inflation is low, poverty and inequality are falling, and wagesare rising. Yes, that is due to our long-term economic plan. We can only have a fair and compassionate society on the back of astrong economy. That is what the British electorate asked us to do inMay, and that is what we are doing. We are proud of the jobs createdover the past six years, proud of having lifted more than 1 million low-paid people out of income tax, proud of having introduced the nationalliving wage, and proud of our record as a compassionate one-nationConservative Government. Let me respond to some of the points raised today, partly because theshadow First Secretary of State failed to mention any of them. Thehon. Member for Dewsbury (Paula Sherriff) and my right hon. Friendthe Member for Basingstoke (Mrs Miller) raised a technical detail andasked, with reference to the tampon tax, what will happen to themoney now allocated for that in the Budget. That was a one-yearbidding process, and all the organisations will get the money that weannounced on Wednesday. The relevant clause for that will be in theFinance Bill, which will be published on Thursday. Various Conservative Members, including my hon. Friends theMembers for Warwick and Leamington (Chris White), for South Dorset(Richard Drax), for Richmond (Yorks) (Rishi Sunak), for CroydonSouth (Chris Philp), for Dudley South (Mike Wood), my right hon.Friend the Member for Basingstoke, and others, praised the wealthcreators and business, and this is very much a Budget for business,wealth creators and enterprise. My hon. Friends the Members forHarrow East (Bob Blackman) and for Peterborough (Mr Jackson), thehon. Members for Clwyd South (Susan Elan Jones) and for City ofDurham (Dr Blackman-Woods), and the right hon. Member for Delyn(Mr Hanson) all mentioned infrastructure spendingalbeit with slightlydiffering viewsand individual projects. The Government remain on course to deliver 100 billion ininfrastructure projects this Parliament. The Budget announced morefor flood defences, and for transport projects in the north, London andright the way across England. My hon. Friend the Member for HarrowEast raised a point about rough sleeping, and we are committing 110million extra for that. No allocations have yet been made, but Londonis very much a focus of that additional money. When the hon. Member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill (PhilipBoswell) spoke I had to stop and check that I had heard him correctly,because he spoke about a risk in relation to the price of oil. I can tellhim something about a risk in relation to the price of oil, because ifScotland were to have separated on the SNPs proposed date of thisThursday, it would now be facing a fiscal black hole of 19 billion,largely caused by a 98% collapse in oil revenue. My hon. Friend the Member for Norwich North (Chloe Smith) calledthis a Budget for savers and the next generation. She is absolutelyright, and the Lifetime ISA will apply even to those who do not put inthe full 4,000 a year. We have also launched the Help to Saveinitiative, which will help lower-paid savers who are on universal creditor tax credits. My hon. Friend the Member for Erewash (Maggie Throup) highlightedour income tax cuts, which deliver on our manifesto commitmentweare accelerating them for the low-paid, the lower-paid and themedium-paid. We heard opposing speeches on the merits of the soft drinks industrylevy from my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Richard Fuller), thehon. Member for Falkirk (John Mc Nally) and others. My hon. Friendraised a number of technical objections to the levy. We are consultingon the details and are keen to work with the industry on it, but hon.Members should make no mistake: we think it is the right thing to do tohelp to deal with the UKs 27 billion per annum obesity problem. The hon. Member for Foyle (Mark Durkan) thanked us on behalf ofNorthern Ireland for launching funding for the new air ambulance,which I know has been very well received. We are open to ideas onUK city deals coming from Northern Ireland, but I should say to himthat the Stormont House agreement committed more than 2.5 billionto the Executive, which I think was very generous. We heard from many former members of the Labour Treasury teamthe shadow shadow Treasury team, as they have been calledincluding the right hon. Member for Delyn, and the hon. Members forBirmingham, Ladywood (Shabana Mahmood) and for Leeds West(Rachel Reeves). All protested at the policies and initiatives launchedby the Government. I have two things to say to them. First of all, in allof the last Parliament, I do not recall any of them coming up with asingle proposal to save money or cut spending, or to back any taxrise. More interestingly, not one of the shadow shadow Treasury teamhad a word of praise for their actual shadow Treasury team, whichwas absolutely compelling evidence of where they are going wrong. It is because we have faced up to the facts and because we havetaken the difficult decisions that our economy is fundamentallystronger, more resilient and better able to protect our families andhouseholds in uncertain times. Uncertain times are what we mustcurrently deal with. Growth worldwide is slowing, commodity priceshave fallen and productivity growth has been sluggish, particularly inthe most advanced economies. The middle east remains unstable andglobal markets have experienced worrying turbulence. The UK isimmune from none of that. Responsible government means preparingour economy for the challenges that lie ahead. It means ensuring thatwe never again find ourselves in the position we found ourselves in sixyears ago. It means that, when problems come up, we deal with themin full and early on. Rachel Reeves (Labour): Many Labour Members have asked aboutthe 4.4 billion black hole. Will the Chief Secretary to the Treasuryplease confirm whether that 4.4 billion will be plugged by further cutsto welfare, tax increases, spending cuts or more borrowing? It has tobe one. Which is it? Greg Hands: It is always good to hear from the shadow shadowTreasury team. I can tell the hon. Lady that more will be outlined in thecourse of this year in the autumn statement. However, we remain oncourse[Interruption.] Mr Speaker: Order. Members are becoming a little over-excitable.The Chief Secretary must be heard. Greg Hands: We remain on course to deliver our budget surplus in2019-20, which is far more than Labour ever achieved. I would havethought that the hon. Lady would have found the opportunity tocongratulate the Government on the new commitment to flooddefences in Leeds, which she did not mention. I will be working to find a further 3.5 billion of efficiencies by 2019-20so that we deliver that surplus by the end of this Parliament. Thatmeans that we keep our economy on course, and we refuse to passon the burden to our children and grandchildren. At the same time, we will continue to reward aspiration, back growth,invest in education and help people get on in lifebecause this is aBudget that backs Britains businesses. It cuts the burden of businessrates by 6.7 billion over the next five years, taking 600,000 of oursmallest firms out of business rates altogether. It cuts the rate ofcorporation tax even further, to 17% in 2020, giving us the mostcompetitive rate in the G7 and benefiting more than 1 millionbusinesses. Through a 1 billion North sea oil and gas package, it is aBudget that helps Britains largest industry succeed in difficulteconomic times; through cuts to both the higher and basic rates ofcapital gains tax, it encourages investmentthe lifeblood of Britainsbusinesses; and, through the abolition of class 2 national insurancecontributions, it creates a simpler tax system and a tax cut of morethan 130 for the 3 million-plus self-employed people in BritainthisGovernment stand squarely behind them. This is a Budget that puts cash into peoples pockets. It raises the tax-free personal allowance to 11,500 from next year, and the higher ratethreshold to 45,000. We recognise that money should be in savingsaccounts as well as in pockets, so this is also the Budget that createsthe lifetime ISA, helping people to buy their first home or save for theirretirement. This is a Budget that freezes fuel duty, helping peopleevery time they fill up their tank. It is a Budget that supportsresponsible drinkers; helps the nations pubs and gives a further boostto the Scotch whisky industry. I recall seeing on the morning of the Budget the Scottish Nationalpartys lead spokesman saying that he had three asks in this Budget,and he listed them on Twitter. They were to freeze fuel duty, to keepdown duty on Scotch and to have a fiscal package for oil and gas. Wehave met all three of his asks and much more, and this is a very goodBudget for Scotland, too. It is a Budget that strengthens our tax base, through reforming the taxsystem so that it is in line with the realities of global, 21st-centuryeconomics. As I said, in this Budget we take action on the scourge ofobesity, which, as well as providing unsustainable pressures on theNHS, ruins peoples health and quality of life, and costs the countryabout 27 billion a year. Catherine McKinnell rose Greg Hands: I do not have time to give way. Because we continue toget the public finances under control, our Budget[Interruption.] I amsorry, but all the Labour MPs elected in 2010 and 2015 do notremember the last Labour Government, and that is part of theirproblem. Because we get the public finances under control, ourBudget gives this country a stable base from which to support those inneed of support. That is a point that too many on the OppositionBenches still do not get: there can only be true social justice on theback of a functioning economy. Had we not taken action in 2010,borrowing would have been 930 billion more by the end of thedecade than it is now forecast to be. On a serious point, one moredownturn and we could have lost control altogether in this country, andwhen that happens it is the poorest and the most vulnerable who arehit the hardest. So we say: never again. That is why we take actionnow, so we do not pay later. To conclude, I am sure that some on the Opposition Benches will voteagainst the Budget tonight, but they will be voting against more moneygoing to our schools. They will be voting against 600,000 smallbusinesses being taken out of paying business rates altogether. Theywill be voting against support for our North sea oil and gas industry.They will be voting against increases for childrens healthcare. Theywill be voting against helping working people save for their future.They will be voting against lower taxes for the lowest paid. They willbe voting against a better future for Britain. I say that Members should vote for this Budget. Stability, security,prosperity is what the electorate asked us to provide last May and it isthat which this Budget provides, and I ask the House to support ittonight.

New State Pension set to deliver dignity inretirement for people across Chelsea &Fulham

Member of Parliament for Chelsea & Fulham and Chief Secretary tothe Treasury, Greg Hands, has welcomed the biggest reform of thestate pension since it was created more than a century ago, alongsidea major package of reforms to tax, pensions, and savings to helpworkers.From 6 April 2016, eligible people in Chelsea & Fulham who reachretirement age will receive the new State Pension, with the full rate setat 155.65 per week, or over 8,000 a year.The new State Pension particularly benefits women reaching pensionage over the next decade. In the past, many were unable to buildmuch of the previous earnings-related additional State Pension, butfrom now on, everyone will build up the new State Pension in thesame way. More than 75 per cent of women and more than 70 percent of men will gain in the first 15 years of the new State Pension,and by 2030 more than three million women stand to gain an averageof more than 550 extra per year as a result of these changes.The new pension is among a number of reforms to taxes, NationalInsurance allowances, and savings coming into effect on 6 April toback hard work, support savers, and ensure economic security atevery stage of life. This includes a new personal savings allowancewhich means that most people will be able to earn up to 1,000interest a year on their savings without paying tax. More than 18million are set to benefit, with nearly 17 million taken out of savings taxaltogether.The tax free personal allowance also increases from 10,600 to11,000, giving an 80 tax cut to a typical taxpayer in Chelsea &Fulham, while the higher rate threshold rises to 43,000, delivering onthe Conservatives commitment that working people will keep more ofthe money they earn. An estimated 875 low-earners in Chelsea &Fulham will be taken out of paying income tax altogether today, while47,685 people in Chelsea & Fulham will see their income tax cut.Commenting on these reforms, Greg Hands said: We are committedto supporting people at every stage of their life, which means helpinghardworking people keep more of the money they earn and providingdignity and security in retirement.The new State Pension will provide clarity and confidence for peopleacross Chelsea & Fulham about what income they will get from thestate in their retirement, while helping those who have historically lostout under the old system.Its great news that 47,685 people in Chelsea & Fulham will receivean income tax cut today, and that 875 low-earners will be taken out ofincome tax altogether, as we continue to back people who are workinghard, saving hard, and doing the right thing.

Photo news:Kensington, Chelsea and FulhamConservatives AGM

Greg Hands MP addressing the Annual General Meeting of theKensington, Chelsea and Fulham Conservatives last month.

Businesses across Chelsea & Fulhamreceive boost as tax changes kick in Member of Parliament for Chelsea & Fulham and Chief Secretary tothe Treasury, Greg Hands, has welcomed the start of tax reforms thatwill help businesses across Chelsea & Fulham to invest more of theirmoney into growing and taking on more staff. From 6 April 2016, employer National Insurance contributions forapprentices under 25 are completely abolished, saving a businessemploying an apprentice on the National Minimum Wage more than500 a year. The employment allowance for all businesses and charities is alsorising from 2,000 to 3,000 so that a firm can employ up to fourpeople full-time on the new National Living Wage and pay noemployer National Insurance contributions at all. Businesses will also benefit from a cut in Capital Gains Tax with thehigher rate falling from 28 per cent to 20 per cent, and the basic ratefrom 18 per cent to 10 per cent ensuring that they can access thecapital they need to grow and create jobs. On Friday, 1 April 2016, a range of other reforms began, including thefurther extension of the doubling of small business rates relief into2016/17, and the freezing of fuel duty, which will see small businesseswith a van save 12 each time they fill their tank compared with thefuel escalator plans left behind by the last Labour government. Commenting on these reforms, Greg Hands said: This is great newsfor businesses big and small across Chelsea & Fulham, making iteasier for them to grow, create jobs, and help train young people. Policies like these show that the Conservatives are delivering on ourcommitment to support businesses and train people so that they havethe skills they need to secure a job and benefit from the security of aregular wage.

Greg Hands MP responds to Crossrail 2Consultation Report

On 16 March, Crossrail 2 published its Consultation Report, whichanalysed and collated the approximately 21,000 consultationresponses and 90,000 individual comments received during the publicconsultation on the new railway proposed for London and the SouthEast. The consultation was carried out between 27 October 2015 and8 January 2016. Greg Hands, Member of Parliament for Chelsea & Fulham, welcomesCrossrail 2s Consultation Report, which contains some very importantinitial results for his constituents. Indeed, the report showed thatQuestion 20, which invited comments on the proposals for a Crossrail2 station on the Kings Road in Chelsea, received the largest numberof responses 4,183 more than Balham in second place. In total, the consultation received 14,716 comments on the stationproposed for the Kings Road, with 12,637 respondents (86 per cent)expressing concerns and raising issues, compared with the 1,601 (11per cent) who support the proposals. The Consultation Reportsdiagram below shows the strength of the response received fromGregs constituency of Chelsea & Fulham:

Speaking after reading the Consultation Report, Member ofParliament for Chelsea & Fulham, Greg Hands, said: I am glad thatCrossrail 2 has published its initial findings by means of thisConsultation Report, which reflects the strength of feeling among myconstituents in Chelsea & Fulham. I myself have received andresponded to hundreds of local residents on this topic, and I feel thatCrossrail 2 must now pay serious consideration to my constituentsconcerns. I am also worried by the negative response to the consultation ingeneral, with 8,385 people expressing their concerns. I now look forward to receiving Crossrail 2s response to these issues,which it has assured it will publish this summer. The Consultation Report on Crossrail 2 can be found here.

Photo news:Jacob Rees-Mogg MP in Fulham

Greg Hands MP and Cllr Greg Smith welcome Jacob Rees-MoggMP to Fulham, where he addressed local Conservative

supporters.

Greg Hands welcomes progress onNational Grid works on the Kings Road Following National Grids most recent meeting in March with localresidents, Councillors, and stakeholders, Member of Parliament forChelsea & Fulham, Greg Hands, welcomes the news that the worksare on schedule. Following the start of the first phase of the replacement of the gasmains in February, the Kings Road which straddles the borderbetween Chelsea and Fulham has been one-way eastboundbetween Gunter Grove and Edith Grove. With this first phase due tofinish on schedule at the end of April, the second phase will see theKings Road one-way eastbound between Stanley Bridge (the railwaybridge to the west of Lots Road) and Gunter Grove. Throughout the work all shops and businesses will continue beingopen as usual, and National Grid affirms that they will maintain accessfor residents and businesses. Commenting on the progress, Greg Hands said: It is reassuring tohear that the replacement of the gas mains on the Kings Road is onschedule. This is a big project, which is having an impact on residentsand businesses in both parts of my constituency. However, I am assured that the coordination group chaired by NickBotterill, Conservative Councillor for Parsons Green and Walham, withrepresentatives from both local Councils, National Grid, Transport forLondon, as well as local residents and businesses, is listening toconcerns and seeking to mitigate the impact of the works. For more information on the project and for regular updates, pleasevisit National Grids website here and their Chelsea & Fulhamnewsletter here. You can also contact National Grids Community Relations Team forfree on 0800 389 8261, via email atnationalgrid@londongasmains.co.uk, or via post at National GridCommunity Relations, Freepost RRKX/EBGK/XXHT, PO Box 5689,London, W1A 4FG. For 24-hour operational enquiries, please call0800 096 5678.

7 ways to contact Greg Hands MP:

By Phone: 020 7219 5448By email: mail@greghands.comBy post: Greg Hands MP

House of CommonsLondon SW1A 0AA

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