Sir Edward Leigh MP has spoken in the debate on Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak's, saying his "hymn of praise to a low-tax economy" and deregulation "brought a tear to the eye of a weary Thatcherite".

Nonetheless, the Gainsborough MP expressed his alarm that, under a Conservative government, British taxpayers "are now being taxed at the highest rate since Attlee's day".

Sir Edward said urgent action was needed to get those affected by the pandemic back into work, to help younger people onto the property ladder, and to let people control their own lives.

The MP also suggested ministers help cut waiting times in the NHS by giving tax relief to those who use private healthcare as John Major did in the 1990s.

We are now being taxed at the highest rate since Attlee's day, under a Conservative government. Throwing money at problems often gives us lower productivity and poorer results. We are facing a number of challenges but we need to return to our principles. pic.twitter.com/7VSl972r2v

— Sir Edward Leigh MP (@EdwardLeighMP) November 2, 2021