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Investment & Dividends

EDM number 717 in 1995-96, proposed by Ken Livingstone on 02/04/1996.

That this House notes that the United Kingdom national accounts published on 26th March show the worsening of one of the most dangerous trends in the United Kingdom economy, rapidly rising dividend payments by companies while investment slumps; is deeply concerned that in 1995 dividend payments were 5.8 per cent. of gross domestic product the highest level since records began, compared to 2 per cent. in 1979; notes that, at the same time, contrary to the assertion of the Prime Minister on 23rd May last year in answer to the honourable Member for Brent East, that investment was rising, investment in 1995 did not rise as a proportion of gross domestic product, and was at its lowest proportion of gross domestic product since 1955 and is now 4.1 per cent, of gross domestic product, below its level in 1979; believes that this rise in the share of dividend payments and fall in the share of investment in theUnited Kingdom economy since 1979, must be reversed; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to take all measures necessary to reduce the level of dividends in the United Kingdom economy to its real terms level of 1979 and re-direct the funds released, of the order of ú22.9 billion, to raising the level of investment in the domestic productive economy.

This motion has been signed by a total of 4 MPs.

MPDateConstituencyPartyType
Ken Livingstone02/04/1996Brent EastProposed
Dennis Skinner03/04/1996BolsoverSigned
Lynne Jones03/04/1996Birmingham, Selly OakSigned
Harry Barnes03/04/1996North East DerbyshireSigned

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