During Thursday’s Question Time on BBC One, filmed in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, the topic of taxes and public services was discussed – and it led to a light-hearted moment
The Question Time audience chuckled last night – when a man playfully insisted he wouldn’t “dodge” taxes.
The guest, called Gordon, had asked the panel the first question of the BBC programme – around whether or not Brits pay enough tax to support our public services – and this led to lively debate. Fiona Bruce, presenter of the show, looked to further the conversation by later asking the man: “So, if there were higher taxes to come, would you be prepared to pay them?”
And the man smiled as he replied: “Well, I’m not going to dodge them,” a witty response which led to laughter in the audience and panel in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire. Ms Bruce, also smirking, said: “Well said, especially on national television.”
With his honest response, the guest appeared to acknowledge he feels taxes must increase in order for the nation to provide adequate public services. This view was supported by panelist Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, who said Labour values the economy.
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Following up his question, Gordon said: “It seems to me that we know all the public services are struggling. We all want them to work, we need them to work and nobody wants to pay for them. That debate has to get real, and I think the Chancellor is beginning to tell the story that needs to be told.”
This led to Ms Bruce’s question to Gordon about the rise in taxes, to which the man gave his honest – if resigned – answer. It was almost an acknowledgement to the understanding Chancellor Rachel Reeves is looking at potential tax rises and spending cuts to fill a multibillion black hole in the public finances. We reported wealthier people will face higher taxes in next month’s Budget.
But Helen Whately MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, disagreed with Gordon’s view. Speaking on the panel, she said: “I feel very strongly that as a country we are paying too much tax… Too many people are being signed off (work) on benefits.
“Another example, as we have said, we shouldn’t be giving benefits to people who are not British citizens, specifically a group of people who do not have indefinite leave to remain. If you are here in the UK, you need to be contributing to the economy and not drawing on our benefits’ system.”
The debate formed part of the programme last night as, on November 26, Ms Reeves will deliver her Budget. When asked this week whether higher taxes on the wealthy would feature as part of her, the politician said they would be “part of the story”.