Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his response, which was interesting from a number of perspectives. The Labour Party always makes the case for additional public spending, whether that is to meet the needs of demographic changes or existing levels of service. We do that transparently, especially when we are looking at the new investments we need to make our economy work and our society fairer. We are always honest that we simply cannot pay for the new services we require without looking at where we can raise revenue to pay for those services. That is the problem this Government and that which preceded it have had. The Government seems allergic to dusting down the Commission on Taxation and Welfare's report and identifying ways in which we can raise revenue in a sustainable way to support the childcare services we need, eradicate child poverty and build the homes we need in a sustainable fashion. In this budget, accepting that everybody in this House, regardless of their political persuasion, accepts that there is a need to increase public spending and target it properly, will the Minister accept that there is a need to broaden the tax base and that it is unwarranted and unjustifiable to hollow out the tax base by granting a VAT cut to the hospitality sector that is untargeted and that will disproportionately benefit those with very healthy bottom lines, such as McDonald's and other companies like it?

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