Baroness Fox of Buckley (Non-Afl)

My Lords, I rise very briefly to note that the Minister referred to the £22 billion black hole. On occasion when that occurs in these kinds of debates it does feel that the issue is being taken with a certain glib pinch of salt because we have heard that phrase so often. But, if I accept that there is a real problem, one of the things I have been absolutely convinced by the Government on is the need for economic growth to get out of this situation—which is why I cannot for the life of me work out how we have ended up in a situation where the Government are introducing measures that are going to damage growth so substantially. I agree with the Minister that we need to fill that £22 billion black hole, but, as has been argued across the House from a range of people, these measures are not going to do that: they are going to make that hole even deeper. Therefore, I appeal to the Minister to stop digging himself ever deeper into this hole and at least accept that these amendments are modest and give the Government an opportunity to review whether the national insurance contribution increases will do the damage that is alleged. I have been inundated on this issue more than on any other since I have been in this House, by people working in social care, hospices, charities and small businesses. Everybody is tearing their hair out and all they want is for the Government to listen. These very modest amendments simply call for the Government to have the capacity and flexibility to think again, in case those people worried about the increases are right. If the Government are right, they have nothing to worry about and I suggest they show a little humility over the concerns raised by a wide range of political voices in this House.