Lord Lisvane, better known as Sir Robert Rogers, thinks the talk of a constitutional crisis over tax credits is overblown. Having served in the House of Commons for over 40 years, most recently as Commons’ Clerk until he retired last year, he is one of the few people who fully understands the relationship between the Lords and the Commons. Speaking to Coffee House, Lisvane explains this is business as usual:
‘I think there has been a great deal of hyperbole. The regulations that the Lords considered on Monday were required to be laid before the Lords as well as the Commons under Tax Credits Act 2002 and the Lords considered them. They came to a view the government didn’t like that much’.
Lisvane also says that neither the Lords nor the Commons have acted inappropriately over cutting tax credits and the softened approached — hinted at by the Chancellor — will deliver a good result for all concerned:
‘I think the government will need to consider the events of Monday and the Chancellor has indicated that he’s going to often his proposals and perhaps introduce transitional arrangements.
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