Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Dan Tomlinson was mocked by MPs at the Treasury Committee this morning for suggesting only outlier businesses would be hit by Labour’s business rate hike. Tomlinson claimed to Meg Hillier:
“We know that there are only 1% of retail, hospitality and leisure properties who are seeing their bill go up by more than 100% this year. So, the one that you’re referring to your shop in your constituency, he’s a relative outlier, because only 1% of businesses are seeing their bills go up by more than 100% this year if they’re not increasing from zero.”
Tomlinson went on to claim that Labour would pursue a ‘High Streets Strategy’ and look at “big picture long-term changes.” Asked what the timeline was for that, he said: “We are, uhm ehm, we will… I’m expecting [before the budget]”…
Hillier added: “One bakery in my patch I went to visit the other week, they’re taking two to three days to raise the same amount as they did a year ago. So this is the challenge.” At which point Siobhain McDonagh chimed in: “I’m not going across the road and telling Kevin that he’s an outlier”…
Hillier again: “I think, Minister, you’re going to get invitations from members of this committee to visit our constituency in high streets so we look forward to greeting you.” He’ll probably be getting a few four-letter reviews of the government’s performance….
Speaking about Morgan McSweeney’s resignation, skills minister Jacqui Smith told Times Radio:
“It’s clearly not ideal but I do understand why Morgan, as he explained, decided to resign at this point. But the important thing as you say is how we both tackle what this Epstein and Mandelson scandal has identified and also how we make sure, as the prime minister is absolutely determined to, that we continue the change that the country needs and that’s what I’m focusing on this morning.”