As Chairman of Ways and Means and Madam Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, will be presiding over the proceedings in the House of Commons Chamber as the Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers the Budget statement to Members of Parliament this afternoon.
Each year the Chancellor of the Exchequer makes the Budget statement to the House of Commons. The first part of the statement typically begins with a review of the nation's finances and the economic situation, before moving on to proposals for taxation. The House of Commons then debates the Budget and scrutinises the subsequent Finance Bill, which enacts the Chancellor's proposals.
Traditionally, the Chairman of Ways and Means (Principal Deputy Speaker) chairs the Budget and manages proceedings in the House of Commons Chamber as the financial measures contained in the Chancellor's Budget are brought in on Ways and Means Resolutions.
Nusrat Ghani said: “The Chairman of Ways and Means has been around since the 17th century and has presided over the Budget statement and the debate. We have a new Chancellor and a new government after 14 years in opposition, and they are presenting their plans on the economy and taxation and spending today. I am honoured to be representing Sussex in the Chair for this key economic moment that impacts us all, whether we are constituency MPs or just general members of the public. The debate in the Commons Chamber is always highly charged. Emotions will be high as will the noise of 650 MPs and I look forward to keeping everyone in check.”
