Finance Bill

I will not take any interventions. It is very late and, with the greatest respect, the hon. Gentleman has rarely been in the Chamber over the past two days, let alone the past six or seven weeks, while we have been debating these important matters. Indeed, there have been so few Scottish Labour Back Benchers here that I was not sure that they had not all gone on holiday for the duration of the debates. The Finance Bill and the Budget will tax businesses more and make Scottish businesses, especially the small ones, less competitive. The conclusion of all the measures on personal taxation will make the poorest and most vulnerable worse off. For those two reasons, if for no others, we will oppose the Bill’s Third Reading tonight. Question put, That the Bill be now read the Third time:— The House divided: Ayes 262, Noes 197.