Pre-Budget Report

The right hon. Gentleman shakes his head, but his name is on the document:"““Signed by the responsible Minister:""Stephen Timms…24th November 2008””." The document clearly states that the standard rate, having returned to 17.5 per cent. on 1 January 2010, will subsequently increase to 18.5 per cent. in 2011-12. Why did the Minister sign off that document, or does he not read what he signs? He can intervene on me now if he likes. The second thing that I would like the Chancellor to confirm or deny is that the Government were considering further increases in VAT—specifically, a rise to a 20 per cent. rate of VAT in 2012. We will put in our freedom of information request, but I would be most grateful if the Chancellor confirmed that rise as well.