My Work in Parliament

In Committee...

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Finance Committee

In Parliament I speak for the Liberal Democrats on Treasury issues and am the lead spokesman on the Finance Bill Standing Committee. This considers the Chancellor's new tax proposals each year.

On last year's Finance Bill Committee I focused my criticisms on the negative effects of Gordon Brown's tax changes for small businesses and pensioners. I am increasingly concerned about the additional complexity this Government is introducing into the tax system. Last year the new taper relief for Capital Gains Tax introduced many new rates and anomalies, while this year's Bill complicated the income tax system, with a 10p rate for the first tranche of earned income, but a 20p rate for the first tranche of income from savings. In an age of self assessment, this approach is exactly the reverse of what ought to happen. The effects will be felt most by those least able to cope, namely pensioners and smaller firms.

Greater London Authority Committee

I served 3 months on the Committee considering the Greater London Authority Bill. This law sets up the Mayor and Assembly that Londoners will vote for in May 2000: together they form the Greater London Authority.

This will have major new powers over transport, police and economic development. I do believe London needs a strategic authority, but during the committee stage of the Bill I opposed giving the Mayor so much power and argued that Government plans for the Underground will not raise the capital needed.

During Committee, I was able to raise a number of local issues, to impress on Ministers constituents' concerns. These included the impact of the police cuts and the need for a decision against Thames Water's proposed development on Surbiton's filter beds.

Select Committee on Procedure

The Select Committee on Procedure looks at ways to improve how the Commons does its job. Last year we looked at how Parliament scrutinises the Government's budget and what impact devolution will have on the Commons: we recommended some major changes!

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