Treasury Committee publishes responses to its Budget Report
31 August 2012
The Treasury Committee today publishes responses from the Government and the Office for Budget Responsibility to its report on the Budget 2012
- Report: Budget 2012: Government Response to the Committee's Thirtieth Report of Session 2010-12
- Inquiry: Budget 2012
- Treasury Committee
Commenting on the responses, the Chairman of the Treasury Select Committee, Andrew Tyrie MP, said:
On retrospection
"The Government has confirmed that retrospection will be restricted to wholly exceptional circumstances. It is right to do so.
Retrospection conflicts with the principles that should underpin tax policy as recommended by this Committee and as laid down by the Chancellor.
It would also undermine the reputation of the UK as a high-quality place to do business."
On the Parliamentary timetable
"The Finance Bill is a crucial piece of legislation. Sufficient time must be provided to allow for proper Parliamentary scrutiny.
This year's arrangements for Parliamentary scrutiny were highly unsatisfactory."
On leaks
"Budget measures should not be leaked or pre-briefed to the media.
Whilst appropriate pre-Budget consultation is to be welcomed, information about such measures should be publicly released and, when appropriate, accompanied by a written or oral parliamentary Statement.
Coalition government is no excuse for selective leaking."