Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether employers will incur any (a) costs or (b) conditions as a result of accessing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is designed to help firms that have been severely affected by coronavirus to retain their employees and protect the UK economy. The scheme is open to all UK employers providing they have created and started a PAYE payroll scheme on or before 19 March 2020 and have a UK bank account.
The Government has designed this package to be straightforward and comprehensive for businesses. Employers can claim a grant for the associated Employer National Insurance contributions and pension contributions (up to the level of minimum automatic enrolment employer pension contribution) on the subsidised furlough pay.
Full guidance for employers, including the requirements on businesses, can be found at: www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answers of 3 October 2019 to Questions 292302 and 292304, what the evidential basis is for the conclusion that VAT changes to materials used for solar installations will have a negligible environmental impact.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The changes to the VAT rules for energy-saving materials are expected to affect a relatively small number of installations. It is therefore anticipated that there will be a negligible impact on the environment.
Around 1,500 future installations of solar panels, energy-saving boilers and wind turbines are expected to be affected annually, plus some other smaller scale items. This represents less than 5% of the value of all installations currently eligible for the reduced rate. The changes are expected to have a negligible impact on the Exchequer.
A Tax Information and Impact Note was published by HMRC on GOV.UK on 10 July 2019.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on the environment of the increase in VAT on materials used for solar installations to 20 per cent.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government is committed to greening our economy and designed the changes for energy-saving materials to retain as much of the VAT relief as possible for UK households, while complying with EU law. It is anticipated these changes will have a negligible environmental impact.
While the UK remains a member of the EU, the Government is obliged to make these changes. It may be possible to amend these rules once the UK has left the EU.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential effect on the environment of an increase in VAT on fossil fuels.
Answered by Jesse Norman
HM Treasury has no current plans to increase VAT on fossil fuels. All taxes are kept under review and decisions on tax and their impact are considered as part of the normal fiscal policy making process.
The Government takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and has commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Climate Change Act 2008, as well as the Paris Agreement, which was ratified in November 2016.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department assessed the environmental impact of increasing VAT on materials used for solar installations prior to making that decision.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government is committed to greening our economy and designed the changes for energy-saving materials to retain as much of the VAT relief as possible for UK households, while complying with EU law. It is anticipated these changes will have a negligible environmental impact.
While the UK remains a member of the EU, the Government is obliged to make these changes. It may be possible to amend these rules once the UK has left the EU.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect on low-income tenants of landlords adjust their rental prices in relation to section 24 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2015.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Government estimates that only 1 in 5 landlords would pay more tax as a result of the restrictions to landlords’ finance cost relief, once it is fully implemented. When introduced, the government did not expect this measure to have a significant impact on either house prices or rent levels.
The restrictions came in to effect in April 2017. The most recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) index of private housing rental prices shows that rental prices increased by 0.9% in the 12 months to September 2018. A year ago (the 12 months to September 2017) the annual rate of growth was 1.6%.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the additional (a) customs and (b) security resources required to maintain frictionless trade through UK ports after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
HMRC currently have 1,250 people working on EU exit mostly in planning and preparatory roles. In addition they have also recently recruited for a number of operational roles that could be deployed to meet HMRC priorities, including EU Exit. HMRC’s additional resource requirements will be dependent on the outcome of the negotiations.
Border Force is recruiting 300 frontline officers to allow existing staff to be trained in new requirements ahead of EU Exit. In addition Border Force are recruiting up to 1,000 Border Force officers to meet a range of business needs, including meeting normal staff turnover associated with a large operational business such as Border Force. It will also support Border Force to respond flexibly to emerging requirements, including any future requirements as a result of EU Exit.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans HMRC has for staff recruitment in relation to (a) numbers, (b) timing and (c) locations for different possible scenarios for the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Any potential changes to staffing levels within HM Revenue and Customs will be dependent on the outcome of EU exit negotiations. HMRC continue to assess how the Government’s priorities and the ongoing negotiations will impact on the workforce and capabilities required. HMRC’s customs work is not geographically specific and it will continue to have offices in each region of the UK.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans HMRC has to consult with (a) businesses and (b) the accountancy profession on the implications of the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Mel Stride - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Since the referendum, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officials have met with more than 300 business and representative bodies, including meetings with accountancy firms. Throughout its engagement, HMRC has encouraged stakeholders to consider how EU Exit may impact their business. HMRC will continue to meet with business stakeholders, including the accountancy profession, over the coming months to continue to prepare business for the UK’s future outside of the European Union.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 7 September 2017 to Question 6591, on debts, what plans he has to implement a breathing space scheme.
Answered by Steve Barclay - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The government has tabled an amendment to the Financial Guidance and Claims Bill, which will be debated at the Third Reading of the Bill in the other place on 21st November. This amendment would enable the Government to implement a breathing space scheme after receiving advice from the Single Financial Guidance Body on the design of such a scheme.