Local Government Finance

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 6:06 pm on 2 February 2005.

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Photo of Nick Raynsford Nick Raynsford Minister of State (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) (Local and Regional Government) 6:06, 2 February 2005

It is rather unlike the hon. Gentleman not to have listened to what I said in response to Mr. Pickles earlier. I pointed out that there was no parallel whatever with what is happening in Wales, where a decision was taken to add a band at the top of the scale but not at the bottom, which clearly excused the whole arrangement, as compared with any arrangement in this country, where no decision at all has been taken. Does the hon. Gentleman accept that the sort of speculative figures appearing in the press—prompted by the Daily Mail, which is renowned as a propaganda sheet that is always trying to damage the Government—should never be given the time of day? Frankly, I am astonished that the hon. Gentleman and his party have given credence to those entirely spurious figures, which are designed to stir up unjustified anxiety among the public.