The statement made by Kwasi Kwarteng, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 6 February 2024.
Yesterday I informed my Association Chair of my decision not to stand at the next General Election. It has been an honour to serve the residents of Spelthorne since 2010, and I shall continue to do so for the remainder of my time in Parliament.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kwasi Kwarteng on 2016-09-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what restrictions the Government has put in place to prevent threatening and intimidating behaviour on the part of bailiffs.
Sir Oliver Heald
The Government is clear that aggressive enforcement action is not acceptable. In April 2014 reforms were introduced to protect people from threatening and intimidating behaviour by enforcement agents. The reforms introduced, amongst other things, safeguards to prevent the use of force against debtors, mandatory training and a certification process for enforcement agents to ensure that they are the right people for the job.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kwasi Kwarteng on 2015-11-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will exempt companies which show a serious and sustained commitment to measurable and successful training from additional application and reporting requirements under the apprenticeship grant scheme.
Nick Boles
The Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) is a £1,500 grant per apprentice payable to eligible businesses with fewer than 50 employees who hire an apprentice aged 16 to 24.
To minimise burdens on employers, AGE is claimed through the training provider.
AGE funding has been devolved to some city regions as part of increasing local decision-making powers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kwasi Kwarteng on 2015-11-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what funding the Government plans to provide for research on diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma brain tumours.
George Freeman
The usual practice of the Department’s National Institute for Health Research and of the Medical Research Council is not to ring-fence funds for expenditure on particular topics: research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. Both funders welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma and other brain tumours. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kwasi Kwarteng on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the Government will provide assistance to farmers in Zimbabwe who are forced from their land by the policies of the government of that country.
James Duddridge
I share My Right Honourable Friend’s concerns about the devastating impact of land seizures in Zimbabwe. The British Embassy in Harare frequently raises land security – and the importance of upholding the rule of law – with the Government of Zimbabwe. Most recently, they highlighted the British Government’s serious concerns that the seizure of the land of Zimbabwean farmer, Mr Philip Rankin, did not follow the provisions of the Zimbabwean constitution. The British Government has always said that it would support a fair, transparent and pro-poor land reform programme in Zimbabwe. This is vital if Zimbabwe is to realise its great economic and social potential.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kwasi Kwarteng on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is his policy to expand London’s transport zones to include (a) Spelthorne constituency and (b) other new areas inside the M25 orbital that do not use the oyster system.
Claire Perry
The Travelcard map, showing the zone in which each station falls, is set out as part of the Travelcard Agreement between the Train Operating Companies and Transport for London (TfL). Any changes to station zones must be proposed by a signatory to the Agreement and then agreed by the remaining signatories. The government is not a signatory to the Agreement and therefore has no role in proposing such changes to station zones.
Once a change is proposed by TfL and the Train Operating Companies, the Department for Transport can approve or reject the change proposals. This decision is made by the Secretary of State for Transport, on the basis of a business case and other wider policy and initiatives that may be considered at the time. If the proposal does not represent good value for money, it would be unlikely to get approval. It would be inappropriate for the Government to promote or back any proposals outside of this established process.
In the current rail franchising contracts there are commitments for train operators to bring forward proposals to extend Oyster and Contactless to Swanley, Epsom, Hertford North, Luton Airport Parkway and Welwyn Garden City. The Secretary of State will consider these proposals on their individual merits when they have been developed and submitted in accordance with the process set out above.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kwasi Kwarteng on 2016-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether land at the rear of number 243, Thames Side, Chertsey, or land within a two mile radius of it, has been used by his Department in the last 30 years.
Mark Lancaster
The MOD holds no records showing the use of any land at the rear of number 243 Thames Side, Chertsey or within a two mile radius of that address.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kwasi Kwarteng on 2015-10-22.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assistance the Government plans to give to authorities in South Africa to help tackle high levels of crime in (a) rural and (b) other areas of that country.
James Duddridge
Her Majesty’s Government provides assistance to South Africa to help tackle organised crime networks and minimise the threat they pose to the UK. This co-operation includes the sharing of information and expertise and the provision of capacity building. It does not differentiate between rural and other areas of the country.
These activities form part of the UK’s contribution to counter organised crime and it is our policy not to disclose specific details about assistance given.
The comments made by Kwasi Kwarteng, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, in an interview with Tom Newton Dunn on TalkTV on 10 November 2022.
INTERVIEWER
[What went wrong?]
KWASI KWARTENG
I think we tried to do too much too quickly, too much too fast. And of course, there’ll be a budget in April. So I think that was her vision, her drive was 100% the right thing, but I think we need a better tactical plan to deliver what she wanted.
INTERVIEWER
[Why did you do everything so fast?]
KWASI KWARTENG
I think the Prime Minister was very much of the view that we needed to seize the opportunity, we needed to hit the ground running and she’s very dynamic, very forceful. That’s a great strength, but I think you had to have a measured approach, especially doing the things that were radical and bold.
INTERVIEWER
[Wasn’t it obvious you were going to frighten the markets?]
KWASI KWARTENG
There were lots of things going on. I mean, it wasn’t simply the breakneck speed which you’ve talked about, it so happened that the dollar was a record low, sterling at a record low, the Yen was at a 50 year low, the Euro was at a 20 year low and the Eurozone has only been around for 20 years. Interest rates are rising sharply across the world, there was a global picture as well, but I fully admit that the mini budget did surprise the markets and that’s something that we have to we have to accept.
INTERVIEWER
[Who controlled that pace?]
KWASI KWARTENG
I bear some responsibility for it. I think it was a good idea to try and set our parameters quickly and I think the Prime Minister was very much of the view that we needed to, but I think I think it was too quick.
INTERVIEWER
[Did you tell the Prime Minister to slow down?]
KWASI KWARTENG
I said actually after the budget that because we were going very fast. Even after the mini budget, we were going breakneck speed and I said, you know, we should slow down.
INTERVIEWER
[What did she say?]
KWASI KWARTENG
I said you’ll have two months if you go on like this and that’s I’m afraid what happened.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kwasi Kwarteng on 2015-10-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made on securing funding for patients infected with contaminated blood and for their families.
Jane Ellison
The Department is considering wider reform of financial assistance and other support for those affected with HIV and/or hepatitis C by infected NHS-supplied blood or blood products. We are doing this within the context of the spending review and in a way that is sustainable for the future. We plan to consult on a way forward before the end of the year.
Before the election, the Prime Minister announced an additional one-off £25 million to ease transition to a reformed system of payments for affected individuals. The Department is currently considering how that money will be used.