Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the merits of reforming the Cycle to Work Scheme to broaden access to (1) those earning at, or near, the National Minimum Wage, and (2) those who are self-employed.
Answered by Baroness Penn - Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)
The Government has committed over £2 billion of investment in cycling and walking during this Parliament to deliver on the commitments made in the ‘Gear Change’ walking and cycling strategy. This set out the Government’s vision for cycling and walking to be the natural first choice for many journeys, with the ambition that half of all short journeys in towns and cities will be walked or cycled by 2030. In line with this vision, the Department for Transport continues to publicise guidance for businesses, large and small, on the different ways they can promote cycling and walking, including the Cycle to Work Scheme.
It is encouraging that there has been an increased uptake of the Cycle to Work Scheme, particularly amongst key workers, over the last few years. Government officials are currently undertaking a programme of research to better understand the success of the Cycle to Work Scheme, including motivations for employees joining the Scheme. Any changes to the Scheme will be considered following this programme.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will replace the revenue lost by charities as a result of HMRC's decision to ban the use of red diesel in tractors for charity events from 1 April.
Answered by Baroness Penn - Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)
The Chancellor confirmed at Spring Budget 2021 that the Government will remove the entitlement to use red diesel for most uses from April 2022, other than for defined agricultural purposes and a limited number of other uses. This will help to ensure fairness between the different users of diesel fuels and that the tax system incentivises the development and adoption of greener alternative technologies.
Under the existing rules, agricultural vehicles, such as tractors, are currently entitled to run on rebated fuel when using public roads only for purposes relating to agriculture, horticulture and forestry, as well as cutting verges and hedges that border a road, clearing snow and gritting. Agricultural tractors will remain entitled to run on rebated fuel on public roads after April 2022 for these specific purposes only, as well as for purposes relating to fish farming and for clearing or otherwise dealing with flooding. The activities accepted as purposes relating to agriculture, horticulture and forestry are defined in HMRC Excise Notice 75.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have considered the impact on the (1) farming community, and (2) charitable sector, of the requirement from 1 April for farmers to drain tractor tanks and purge lines before taking part in (a) charity tractor events, and (b) community events.
Answered by Baroness Penn - Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)
The Chancellor confirmed at Spring Budget 2021 that the Government will remove the entitlement to use red diesel for most uses from April 2022, other than for defined agricultural purposes and a limited number of other uses. This will help to ensure fairness between the different users of diesel fuels and that the tax system incentivises the development and adoption of greener alternative technologies.
Under the existing rules, agricultural vehicles, such as tractors, are currently entitled to run on rebated fuel when using public roads only for purposes relating to agriculture, horticulture and forestry, as well as cutting verges and hedges that border a road, clearing snow and gritting. Agricultural tractors will remain entitled to run on rebated fuel on public roads after April 2022 for these specific purposes only, as well as for purposes relating to fish farming and for clearing or otherwise dealing with flooding. The activities accepted as purposes relating to agriculture, horticulture and forestry are defined in HMRC Excise Notice 75.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on charitable activity in the agricultural sector that will result from HMRC’s decision to ban the use of red diesel in tractors for charity events from 1 April.
Answered by Baroness Penn - Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)
The Chancellor confirmed at Spring Budget 2021 that the Government will remove the entitlement to use red diesel for most uses from April 2022, other than for defined agricultural purposes and a limited number of other uses. This will help to ensure fairness between the different users of diesel fuels and that the tax system incentivises the development and adoption of greener alternative technologies.
Under the existing rules, agricultural vehicles, such as tractors, are currently entitled to run on rebated fuel when using public roads only for purposes relating to agriculture, horticulture and forestry, as well as cutting verges and hedges that border a road, clearing snow and gritting. Agricultural tractors will remain entitled to run on rebated fuel on public roads after April 2022 for these specific purposes only, as well as for purposes relating to fish farming and for clearing or otherwise dealing with flooding. The activities accepted as purposes relating to agriculture, horticulture and forestry are defined in HMRC Excise Notice 75.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to implement net-zero carbon emissions transition plans on a mandatory basis to avoid (1) regulatory uncertainty, and (2) delays, in transitioning London to a net-zero financial centre, as part of the Greening Finance: A Roadmap to Sustainable Investing, published in October.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
At COP26 Finance Day the Chancellor announced that the UK will move towards making transition plans mandatory. Initially, asset managers, regulated asset owners and listed companies will need to publish a transition plan or provide an explanation if they have not done so.
Recognising that there is not yet an agreed standard for transition plans, the Chancellor also announced that the Government will set up a Transition Plan Taskforce. This will bring together the best of British industry and academia with regulators and the third sector to develop recommendations on transition plan disclosures in the UK.
As standards for transition plans emerge, the Government and regulators will take steps to incorporate these into the UK’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements and strengthen requirements to encourage consistency in published plans and increased adoption by 2023.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) the Bank of England, and (2) the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, regarding foreign currency regulations; and whether those regulations were complied with during the reported purchase of a Rolls Royce Phantom for a minister in the government of Zimbabwe.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The Government has not had specific discussions with the Bank of England or Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe on this issue. The UK does not have any foreign currency controls in place.
Separately, under the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs), regulated entities are required to conduct enhanced due diligence if a transaction or a business relationship involves a ‘politically exposed person’ such as a Minister from another country. The MLRs also require that regulated entities conduct enhanced due diligence on transactions and businesses relationships involving individuals established in a high risk country. The UK’s High Risk Countries list is specified under the MLRs and aligns with assessments made by the Financial Action Taskforce, the global anti-money laundering standard setter.
Where financial institutions are in scope of the MLRs, they are supervised by the FCA. Where high value dealers are in scope of the MLRs, they are supervised by HMRC.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will investigate the due diligence conducted by GVE London into the funds allegedly used by a Zimbabwe minister to purchase a Rolls Royce Phantom.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The Government has not had specific discussions with the Bank of England or Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe on this issue. The UK does not have any foreign currency controls in place.
Separately, under the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs), regulated entities are required to conduct enhanced due diligence if a transaction or a business relationship involves a ‘politically exposed person’ such as a Minister from another country. The MLRs also require that regulated entities conduct enhanced due diligence on transactions and businesses relationships involving individuals established in a high risk country. The UK’s High Risk Countries list is specified under the MLRs and aligns with assessments made by the Financial Action Taskforce, the global anti-money laundering standard setter.
Where financial institutions are in scope of the MLRs, they are supervised by the FCA. Where high value dealers are in scope of the MLRs, they are supervised by HMRC.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what requirements UK companies have to conduct due diligence on the source of funds when selling goods to (1) members of, or (2) representatives of the (a) government of Zimbabwe, and (b) governments of other countries, where widespread corruption is evident.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The Government has not had specific discussions with the Bank of England or Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe on this issue. The UK does not have any foreign currency controls in place.
Separately, under the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs), regulated entities are required to conduct enhanced due diligence if a transaction or a business relationship involves a ‘politically exposed person’ such as a Minister from another country. The MLRs also require that regulated entities conduct enhanced due diligence on transactions and businesses relationships involving individuals established in a high risk country. The UK’s High Risk Countries list is specified under the MLRs and aligns with assessments made by the Financial Action Taskforce, the global anti-money laundering standard setter.
Where financial institutions are in scope of the MLRs, they are supervised by the FCA. Where high value dealers are in scope of the MLRs, they are supervised by HMRC.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the average waiting time for callers to the self-assessment helpline of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs in each month so far of the current tax year.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
HMRC publish information on average speed to answer monthly and quarterly. Breakdowns for individual helplines including self assessment are contained in the quarterly reports. Times for the Self Assessment helpline are provided below:
Month | April | May | June | July | August | September |
Mins: Seconds | 14:10 | 24:14 | 12:57 | 10:46 | 13:07 | 08:42 |
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the total annual cost of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s political advisers, including both special advisers and members of the Council of Economic Advisers.
Answered by Lord O'Neill of Gatley
Details of Special Adviser numbers and remuneration across Government departments, including for Special Advisers and Members of the Council of Economic Advisers in HM Treasury, were published in December on the gov.uk website.