Welfare Cap

Part of Representation of the People (Proportional Representation) (House of Commons) – in the House of Commons at 5:13 pm on 16 December 2015.

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Photo of Shailesh Vara Shailesh Vara The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 5:13, 16 December 2015

The hon. Gentleman speaks of Christmas spirit. In that spirit, perhaps he would like to apologise to the House on behalf of his party for the mess that it left us. Perhaps he would like to apologise to the people out there—yes, the public—who endured misery and ended up being unemployed under Labour’s policies. Perhaps he would like to apologise to the taxpayers for letting the welfare budget get completely out of control. As a result, we are having to take the tough decisions. [Interruption.] I am happy to give way to Owen Smith if he would like to apologise. [Interruption.] I have given him the opportunity to apologise but he would rather not do so.