Lynne Featherstone

Yvette Cooper was really poor yesterday when she responded for the Government on the Budget Debate on Work and Pensions. Yes – I caught Mr Deputy Speaker’s eye – after jumping up and down for about five hours in a freezing chamber (air conditioning over kill).

I wanted to tackle four issues: support for Citizens Advice Bureaux who are struggling terms with the huge rise in people needing their help; the need to make the Small Business Rate relief (about £1,200 per year) automatic – as so many businesses fail to get this relief; the issue of help for women in the Budget – given the fine words the Government spoke in a debate just a short time ago about the need to help women in an economic downturn; and lastly – the need to fund (from the money announced in the Budget to guarantee all 18-14 year olds work or training) Martin Bright’s New Deal of the Mind.

You can read my speech here.

I said what I said about Yvette Cooper because when it was her turn, she simply ranted against the Tories – which may be pleasurable and her preferred pastime – but when it came to responding to the points raised by MPs in the debate - she didn't. Nothing – not a word. Just listed who had spoken. And there were real questions on the Budget debate and real answers needed. So Ms Cooper – you’re off my list.